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The 



Manors of Suffolk 



Notes on 



Their History and Devolution 



The Hundreds of Babergh and Blackbourn 

With some Illustrations of the old Manor Houses 



BY 



W. A. COPINGER, M.A., LL.D., F.S.A., F.R.S.A. 

Of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-law. Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Law in the 

Victoria University of Manchester. Sometime President of the Bibliographical Society. Author of 

" County of Suffolk : Its History as Disclosed by Existing Records," &c. 



LONDON 

T. FISHER UNWIN 
1905 



THIS WORK 

IS 

DEDICATED 
TO 

ILorb jfrancts 1berve& 

IN 

THANKFUL RECOGNITION 

OF THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND ASSISTANCE 
WHICH THE AUTHOR RECEIVED 

FROM 

HIS LORDSHIP 

IN THE ISSUING OF THE 

RECORDS OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK. 



Hote. 

The present is a kind of trial volume, and forms the 
first instalment of si< like volumes already written on the 
Manors of Suffolk. Should it meet with acceptance, the 
volumes will be sent to press so soon as a sufficient 



number of copies have been subscribed to repay the cost of 
printing. No doubt more might have been said respecting 
the manors, and especially the manor houses, but in view of the 
fact that there are about 2,000 manors in Suffolk, and the 
of restricting the work to seven volumes, little more 



than dry facts could be given to speak for themselves. 

For most of the statements made authority is quoted, but 
where the author has found no authority he has indicated 
the fact, and drawn the best inference he could. And 
where full information has not been obtained, he has almost 
invariably given the information he had. however defective, in 
the hope that such might lead to the supplying by others of 
what was lacking. For the sake of easy reference, citation of 
fines levied prior to the reign of Hen. VII., a calendar of 
which has been printed, is "Feet of Fines," while of those 
subsequently of which no printed calendar exists, " Fine " 
only. 

The Author has to thank the Rev. E. Fairer, Rector of 
Huulcrclay, for his kindness in perusing the proof sheets, and 
he is under an obligation to his daughter Katharine for the 
Index Rerum, and to his daughter Margaret Sarsfield for the 
Indices Nominum and Locorum. 

W. A. COPINGER. 

KERSAL CELL, 

MANCHESTER. 




Jnttobuction. 

| HE Hundred division is now practically obsolete, having 
been superseded by Petty Sessional and other divisions, but 
as late as 1869 there was a High Constable for each Hundred 
of the County. 

The division of the County into Hundreds has been vari- 
ously accounted for. It probably was an early Saxon device, 
recast no doubt by King Alfred, who certainly revised the 
scheme and altered, settled, and brought the divisions into greater systema- 
tic order. 1 The three divisions of Counties, Hundreds, and Tithings were 
dealt with by the King. Each had its own Court. The tithing was com- 
posed of ten families or more who dwelt together and were bound for each 
other's behaviour. It is said that originally each tithing ought to possess 
within itself a church, a burial ground, divine services, and the sacraments. 
The tithing developed into Parishes, and of these the Hundred was made 
up. We are quite aware that in the older laws of the Anglo-Saxons, the 
word tithing is not used, the term then in vogue being " Gild brethren," 
as, for instance, in the Laws 27 and 28 of Alfred. 

Edgar seems to have been the first Saxon King to estimate aright the 
value of the Hundred division, and to give it a name and place in the 
local divisions of the County. It was by his ordinance (959-975) that the 
Hundred had to meet every four weeks, and in fact by him the functions 
of the Hundred were first duly prescribed. This king also provided that 
every man should be under " borh " or suretiship both within the enclosed 
places and without, and that witnesses should be appointed to every 
" borh " and to every Hundred. 

Ethelred's laws (978-1016) followed on the same lines, providing of 
" borhs " that every freeman should have a true " borh " or surety, and 
that the " borh " might present him to every justice, if he should be 
accused. Knut's laws (1016-1035) follow on the same lines, every freeman 
having to be brought into a Hundred and into a tithing. He had to be 
brought into a " borh," and the " borh " had to hold and lead him to every 
plea, i.e., he had to be brought in so as to be under pledge with a surety 
who should be answerable for his appearance in any suit. The regulation 
did not apply to those who by rank, family connection, or commendation, 
were exempted from the provisions of this and similar enactments. 

In the laws of Edward the Confessor (1043-1066) we find cap. 13 headed, 
' The Divisions of the Shires and Hundreds," runs thus : The divisions of 
the shires properly form part of the King's jurisdiction, and attached to 
them is the King's highway. The divisions of the Hundred and wapen- 
takes belong to the earls and the viscounts (the sheriffs) assisted by the 
County Court. 

The Hundred was an important division. It was the division on 
which was primarily based the assessment for geld and served as the area 
for rating purposes, besides being the organisation or body amenable for 
damages in case of riot or destruction of property. Mr. Round has satis- 
factorily shown that the Hundred and not the manor nor even the vill was 
treated as the fiscal unit for the collection of Danegeld. 

1 See Statute law in the latter part of this king's reign, about the year 890. 



rf. INTRODUCTION. 

The butinm of the Hundred was transacted in the " hundred mote," 
in which in later times the townships or parishes were represented by the 
town reeve and four assessors. The Court of the Hundred exercised both 
civfl and criminal jun-<!i< n..n, and litigant-, were bound to seek justice 
in this Court before applying to a higher tribunal. 

As the king was entitled to a fine for each offence, his reeve used to 
attend the Court twice a year to receive these fines. It was on these 
that the Court exercised the duty of seeing that every man was 



enrolled in his tithing, a practice which continued long after the Norman 
Conquest as the sheriff's turn, or leet and view of frankpledge. It was 
sometime a lower Court for the payment of small debts and then the 
bailiff of the Hundred presided. 

Hundreds were either in the King's hand or in private hands by 
grant from the Sovereign. When in the King's hand the sheriff usually 
let them at farm to bailiffs. The bailiff generally presided in the Court, 
and after paying hi> nut under the tenancy or holding, made what profit 
be could from the fees and amercements or other -exactions levied on the 
Miitors and men of the Hundred. 

In process of time, the greater number of the Hundreds, certainly 
in the County of Suffolk, had been granted to private individuals, and in 
many cases the lord of the hundred did not own a single acre in it. 

MANORS. 

Some have supposed the word " manor " to be derived from the old 
French word " manoir," or rather perhaps " manior," or chief dwelling; 
but others from the French " mesuer," signifying to govern, or to guide, 
because the lord of a manor has the guidance and direction of all his tenants 
within the limits of his estate ; " and this," says Lord Coke, " I hold the 
most probable etymology, and most agreeing with the nature of a manor ; 
for a manor in these days signifies the jurisdiction and royalty incorporate 
rather than the land or scite." 1 True, my Lord, but is this not deriving 
the name from a quality not inherent in the manor at the time of the 
original user of the name ? The etymology, no doubt accorded with the 

ire of the thing in Lord Coke's day, and to some extent in our own time 
but this hardly seems sufficient. 

Manors have been usually regarded by our writers on English 
antiquities as of Norman introduction, but modern investigation tends to 
disclose a much earlier origin. They are no doubt as ancient as the Saxon 
constitution, and the germ from which they sprung has been traced to 
Roman times. 

The elements of the manor are discernible during a somewhat lengthy 
period in Anglo-Saxon times ; but certainly up to the very time of the Norman 
Conquest the greater part of the estates passing under the name of manors 
bore but a poor resemblance to the ordinary manorial estate of later days. 

The Roman colonization did not affect the institutions of this country 

Mathemodc in which they were affected by the Anglo-Saxon settlement. 

i! 7ner ^ not mt ? r ' ere .^h existing Celtic institutions further than 

happened to be inconsistent with the Roman occupation, but the 

Complete Copyholder. Ed. 1644. 



INTRODUCTION. vii. 

latter produced changes of a more radical character. The Teutonic influence 
affected every existing institution, whether of Celtic or Roman origin, and 
operated to remodel the political and legal aspects of society. 

The principle of private appropriation and property in land no doubt 
derived its origin from the Romans, but that is all. Later, in the earlier 
period of the Saxon settlement, the lack of common magisterial jurisdiction 
led to the government of the manor or village resting to a certain extent on its 
chief owner, and though the jurisdiction of the Thane in his soc, precinct, 
or manor has been asserted to have been inherent an original jurisdiction 
arising from possession of land and men (being practically the same juris- 
diction in the smaller holdings as the King exercised in his great seignory, 
though neither of them absolute), yet this seems open to question. It is 
true that in the unsettled state of the country and the difficulty of transit 
the need of fixed and regular tribunals for the administration of justice led to 
the Thane determining differences between his men in their civil rights, and 
also as a matter of fact we find him with the advice and concurrence of his 
freemen punishing criminals even to the extent of life and death in the Hall- 
Mote, which answered in those days to what the Court Baron did in later 
times. But this cannot be regarded justly as an inherent jurisdiction. It 
was rather an assumed jurisdiction in a local Court for lack of the means 
of obtaining justice from the proper tribunals or from the King himself. 
But that the thane did exercise the extensive rights we have referred to is 
evidenced by the fact that King Alfred took from the Thane's Court the 
power of punishing criminals. In process of time, however, later Saxon 
sovereigns began to indulge some of their great men with grants em- 
powering them to try criminals in their local court, in which every freemen 
of twelve years of age had to take the oath of allegiance in the particular 
precinct, finding sureties for good behaviour, as before he had had to do in 
the Court of Friburgh. That bishops, earls, and some of the thanes had 
obtained charters empowering them to punish criminals in their own 
Courts before the time of Edward the Confessor is clear from the 2ist Law, 
entitled, " de Baronibus qui suas habent curias et consuetudines." These 
grants rapidly multiplied, it being found more convenient to have the 
view of tenants within the manor. That the tenants regarded it as advan- 
tageous to themselves is rather evidenced by their assenting to make an 
annual payment to the lord in consideration of the charges of obtaining 
the grant of leet from the King, an annual payment which at least in some 
manors was called the Leet Feu, de certo Letoe. 

As to the King's tourn belonged fossa, furca, pillory, tumbrel, and 
cucking stool, so to the lord's leet on a grant of leet these also belonged, and 
the lord was bound to maintain these instruments for punishing offenders, 
and all felonies at common law were within the cognizance of the leet and 
there punishable. 

The Norman Conquest, however, marked the period of the rise of 
manorial influence, and fixed the manor as the most prominent social 
institution of the country for a long series of years. It then received a 
systematic settlement on feudal lines developing, however, at least up 
to the reign of Edward I. 

It is quite true that we find manors abundant at the time of the Norman 
invasion, and the Domesday Survey is most particular in their enumeration. 
There is, however, no evidence to show that these so-called manors of 
Saxon times agreed with the Norman and strictly feudal conception of a 



HI INTRODUCTION. 

manor. Many of these manors consisted of but 20 or 30 and occasionally 
no more than 10 acres, and it is unreasonable to suppose that in respect 
of these there could have existed manorial rights in the sense of later days. 
There can be littlr dmibt that th<> whole aspect of the Domesday Survey 
shows a desire on the part of the compilers to assimilate as far as possible, 
in nomenclature at least, the older or old English forms of holdings with the 
new introduction of thr invaders, and the gradual introduction of Norman 
methods and ideas during the reign of the last Saxon King would facilitate 
fefa 

The term " manor " is not always adhered to in the Survey itself. 
It gives place to the term villa for the whole manor, and mansio for the 
manor house in the Exon Survey, and in all these cases what is meant 
is the estate of a ruler or lord with a village community in villenage upon it. 
No one can peruse that code of laws known as the Reditudines singularum 
penomtrum dating from the eleventh century without being satisfied as 
to the practical existence of the manor in this aspect in those times. 
Manors then were evidently of complex origin. Mr. Seebohm, who in his 
work, " The English Village Community, has closely examined and 
analysed the various factors in operation in the production of the manorial 
system in this country, says: "The most reasonable hypothesis, in the 
absence of direct evidence, appears to be that the manorial system grew 
up in Britain, as it grew up in Gaul and Germany, as the compound product 
of barbarian and Roman institutions mixing together during the periods 
first of Roman provincial rule and secondly of German conquest." 1 
Professor Vinogradoff is not prepared to allow so much to Roman influence. 
His view is that " the economic development of medieval rural life is to be 
accounted for by the formation of old English society of a village community 
of shareholders which cultivated the land on the open field system, and 
treated all other requisites of rural life as appendant to it. The evolution 
of individualistic husbandry, and of political protection produced the 
growth of lordships which culminated after the Conquest in the arrange- 
ment of the manor, a complex institution partaking of the character of 
an estate and of a unit of local government. The influence of the Con- 
quest and of the subsequent formation of common law was decisive in 
submitting society to a system of personal rights and relations ; but under- 
neath this system ancient principles of communal action and communal 
responsibility were still fully alive."' 

There seems to have been an assumption in the wording of the writ 
ordering the Domesday Inquest that the villa and the manor were identical, 
and no doubt in by far the greater number of cases the manor was 
coterminous with or was contained within the limit of the vill ; but the 
returns demonstrated that there were a vast number of exceptions. Still 
there does seem in most cases, where there were several manors in a town- 
ship, to have been one even where the manor did not stand in the relation- 
ship of manor and sub-manor, of which the lord was practically the lord of 
the township. In the return made of lords of townships in 1316, out of 
453 in Suffolk not more than 42 townships had more than one lord, and 
there were lords of other manors in the township but by no means were 
all the lords of manors included in the list. Fifteen townships only had 
morr than two lords specified, and in the Hundreds of Bosmere and Claydon, 
Half Hundreds of Mutford and Lothingland, Samford, Cosford, Risbridge, 

' and Ed. p. 422. Growth of the Manor, p. 365. 



INTRODUCTION. ix. 

Thedwestry, Plomesgate, Carlford, Wilford, Colneis, Loes, Thredling 
(strangely the whole of the Liberty of St. Etheldred) there was but one lord 
for each villa. 

There can be no doubt that the later feudal idea of the manor involved 
the administration of justice. The baron who led his tenants in the field 
in time of war, administered justice to them assembled in his hall in time 
of peace. The Court he held for this purpose was called the " hall mote," 
from the place in which it was held, or the Court Baron from the territory 
to which it belonged. 

Lords of manors were in former days important individuals, especially 
if in addition to the right to hold a Court Baron, a right belonging to every 
lord, he had the right to hold a Court Leet. Lord Coke, referring to the 
Court Baron, says, " These Courts were termed Court Barons because in 
ancient time such personages were called Barons, and came to the Parliament 
and sate in the Upper House ; but when time had wrought such an altera- 
tion that manors fell into the hands of meane men, and such as were farre 
unworthy of so high a calling ; then it grew to a custome that none but 
such as the King would, should come to the Parliament, such as the King 
for their extraordinary wisedome or quality thought good to call by writ, 
which writ ran hac vice tantum. Yet though Lords of Manors lost their 
names of Barons, and were deprived of that dignitie which was inherent 
to their names, yet their courts retaine still the name of Court Barons, 
because they were originally erected for such personages as were Barons ; 
neither hath time been so injurious as to eradicate the whole memory of 
their ancient Dignitie ; in their name there is stamps left of their nobilitie, 
for they are still intituled by the name of Lords.'" 

Not only was the Court Baron absolutely incident to the manor, but 
it was of its essence and inseparable from it, just as suit of court, or the 
obligation of attendance was inseparably incident to the feud. The triers 
in the Court Baron were freemen, for the suitors were such, and a freeman 
could only be tried by his peers or equals. From this it followed that 
if the lord had no tenants, by reason of escheat or the like, the right to hold 
the Court ceased. And if he had but one tenant his (the lord's) position 
was equally unfortunate, for that one tenant having no peer could not be 
tried, and consequently his appeal had to be made to his lord's superior 
lord. For this reason we find it laid down that if there were not two free 
tenants or frank suitors, as they are sometimes called, at the least, the 
Court Baron could not be held, and consequently the manor became ex- 
tinct so far as this particular jurisdiction was concerned, the lord being 
thenceforth merely entitled to hold a Customary Court for his copyhold 
tenants. It has been thought that there should be more than two free 
tenants holding of the manor to enable the lord to hold a Court Baron, but this 
is not correct. The reason assigned for the view is this that assuming 
there were only two, if one of these two were the plaintiff and the other 
the defendant, the lord would be under some difficulty to try them by their 
peers, and it must be admitted that there is one case on record of a cause 
being removed out of a Court Baron by reason of there not being four 
suitors there. But it should be borne in mind that the Court Baron is not 
held exclusively for the trial of disputes between one free tenant and another, 
and there is no authority for asserting that a Court Baron cannot be held 

1 " Compleate Copyholder," Ed. 1644, pp. 63, 64. 



, INTRODUCTION. 

so lone as there are two free tenants. Of course, the legal requisites of a 
manor in the twentieth century cannot be taken as necessary to a manor 
as it existed at the time of the Norman Conauest or even as late as the 
fourteenth century It would be absurd, lor instance, to insist that 
every manor in these early days comprised land held by freehold tenants 
and land held 1 omary or villein tenants. This Professor Maitland 

dearly points out in his exhaustive Introduction to " Select Pleas in Manorial 
and other Seignorial Courts ' 

A Customary Court is also incident to a manor. This is held by the 
lord for his villeins, or those who hold at his will by copy ; for the suitors 
in the Court Baron could not notice the claims of the villeins or copyholders, 
who were of a different order of men. In this Court of the copyholders or 
Customary Court all matters relating to the tenements held by copy were 
tsacted ; but copyholders not being originally free in their persons, and 
holding by free or frank tenure were not entitled to be tried by their 
. The lord himself or his steward sitting for him was the judge of 
this Court. To this Court the copyholders owed suit as the free tenants 
did to the Court Baron, and like the latter were denominated the homage ; 
not indeed that the copyholders ever did homage expressly as the free 
tenants did on acceding to the tenancy ; for homage could only be done 
by a freeman. The copyholders being termed the homage in the Customary 
Court is merely by way of analogy to the homage in a Court Baron. From 
a copyholder fealty in lieu of homage was due. 

A manor cannot at the present day be created of which a copyhold can 
be held, except, of course, by the transcendant power of an Act of Parliament 
of which one or two instances can be found on the Rolls.* By the statute 
Quia emptores terrantm passed 18 Edw. I. (1290) the tenants of common lords 
were prohibited from granting any part of their lands in fee to be held of 
themselves ; but whether they alienated the whole or part (for that Act 
enabled them to alienate the whole) the feoffee was to hold immediately of the 
lord above. We may mention as we are not writing for the legal profession 
that " lord above " does not mean " the Lord in heaven," but the superior 
lord of the feoffor or grantor. Perhaps the explanation is unnecessary 
if so the writer hopes to be pardoned, as for the moment he had overlooked 
the Educational Act of 1870, and the marvellous information of the present 
day. 

The result of the Statute of Edward I. above referred to was to stay 
the increase of manors, and even the King himself it is said, is incapable of 
creating a manor at the present time. 1 

DIVISION OF MANORS. 

Many of the manors of which we have treated in the ensuing work 
have become divided, and it seems therefore advisable to say a word or 
two as to this. It is clear that prior to the Statute Quia emptores terrarum, 
that is the year 1290, as a manor might have been created so it might have 
been divided and sub-divided and the number of manors thus increased. 
But since the passing of this Act a manor could not be divided into separate 

' SeMeo Society, 1889, PP *-. *' 

Heo VIII r 13; nd 37 Hen. VIII. c. a. 
ite Copyholder," Ed. 1644. p. 57. 



INTRODUCTION. xi. 

manors by the tenant of a common lord, as such division would be a 
multiplication in effect.' 

A distinction, however, must be drawn between a division arising from 
act of the party and by operation of law. The division by operation of 
law would be when the manor descended to several coparceners as to 
daughters being coheirs, and they made partition. Here each of the co- 
parceners would have a manor in case part of the demesnes and services 
were allotted to one and part to the other. So a tenant in dower of a third 
part of a manor has a manor and may hold a Court and grant copies. 1 

REPUTED MANORS. 

A manor may be suspended for a time and revive ; as, for instance, if 
it descended to two coparceners and on a partition the services were allotted 
to one and the demesne lands to the other, and the one died, leaving the 
services or demesne lands, as the case might be, to the other, the manor 
would revive, as it was merely suspended during the severance of the 
demesne lands from the services and not destroyed. 3 

Should, however, the demesne lands and the services become absolutely 
separated, so as to be incapable of uniting again, the manor no longer 
continues a manor in reality, though it may continue to be a reputed manor. 
It would, in other words, cease to be a legal manor, for the support of which 
both demesne lands, and services are necessary, though it might still be 
regarded as what is termed a seigniory in gross. 

If the lord grant all the demesne lands or all the services to a stranger, 
or if all the services become extinct, the manor will be destroyed. But 
though all the free tenancies escheat, or become forfeited, or are purchased 
by the lord, the manor is properly at an end ; yet in contemplation of law 
it may continue for certain purposes, as to preserve the right of wrecks 
and estrays and so forth. Thus in one case the lord of a manor declared 
that he had immemorially enjoyed the privilege of appointing a sexton 
of the parish wherein the manor was situate. It was objected and proved 
that the manor had ceased in legal existence for some time prior to the 
vacancy in question, but it was held that to enable the lord to exercise the 
right he claimed it was not necessary to prove a continuing manor for all 
purposes. 4 

Of course, if there be but one free tenant, the seigniory as to him remains 
with respect to his services, &c., though there can be no Court Baron held. 

Those who wish for further details of the manor and of the various 
Courts may consult Scriven's "Treatise on the Law of Copyholds, &c." ; 5 
Elton's "Treatise on the Law of Copyholds, &c." ; 6 and for the older 

1 We are aware of one or two old cases to the contrary, and one curious on the subject 
may consult Brooke's Abr. Fines, fol. 17 ; Harris t;. Nicholls, Cro. Eliz. 19 ; Morris v. 
Paget, Cro. Eliz. 39, Leon 26; Smith v. Bonsai, Golds. 117 fol. 15 ; Bright v. Forth, 
Cro. Eliz. 442 ; Buccleugh's case 6 Mod. 151 ; Finch's case 6 Rep. 64. 

J Bragg's case, Godb. 135. 

3 2 Rolles, Abr. 122 Manor (F) fol. 3, and (H) ; Thetford's case, I Leon 204. 

4 Soane v. Ireland, 10 East, 259. A power to appoint a gamekeeper however, is not a 

prescriptive right incident to merely a reputed manor, (i Ch. G. L. 25). 

5 7th Ed. by Brown. 

6 2nd Ed., 1893-8. 



INTRODUCTION. 

and quainter literature of the subject, " Le Courte Leet et Court Baron 
collect, per John Kitihm.de Graieslnne, an apprentice in Ley (Lond.1598); 
Treatise collected out of the Statutes. &c., together with an easier and 
plan method for the keeping of a Court Leet, Court Baron, and Hundred 
Court, Ac., by John Wilkinson, of Barnard's Inne Gent." (Lond. 1620); 
Pad* Consult um. Lv Judge Jenkins (Lond. 1657); Andrew Hornes 
r of Justice," sec. 17 ; " On Views of Frankpledge " (Lond. 1768) ; 
Kitson, "On Courts Leet" (Lond. 1794); Nelson's "Lex Manenorum 
(Lond. 1657) ; " The Compleate Copyholder, wherein is contained a 
learned Discourse of the Antiquity and Nature of Manors and Copyholds, 
by Sir Edward Cooke " (Lond. 1644, 1668) ; " Lord Coke's Second Institute " 
(Lond. 1804) ; " Comyn's Digest of the Laws of England" (Lond. 1822) ; 
Title " Leet," &c. 

For the benefit of the general reader we may give the following explana- 
tion of some of the terms used in the quotations from the Domesday Survey, 
dividing the notes into two parts (i) as to Persons ; (2) as to Land. 

(i) As to Persons. Thane was at least originally like the term earl, 
not so much a title of dignity as of service. Those who served the King 
in places of eminence, either in Court or Commonwealth were called Thani 
majores and Thani Regis ; and those who served under them in like manner 
as under other great officers of the kingdom and under bishops, abbots, 
and the greater prelates of the church were called Thani minores or the 
leaser thanes. Later there seem to have been three classes of thanes 
the King's thanes, the middle thanes, and the lesser thanes, who really 
were the great landowner's of the realm in Saxon times. But from the 
xoth century to the Conquest, as the authors of the " English Law to Edw. 
I " point out, thaneship is not an office unless described by some specific 
addition showing what the office is. It was a social condition above that 
ol the churl, carrying with it both privileges and customary duties. ' We 
may perhaps," say the writers last referred to, " roughly compare the thanes 
of the later Anglo-Saxon monarchy to the county gentlemen of modern 
times who are in the commission of the peace and serve on the grand 
jury. But we must remember that the thane had a definite legal rank.'" 

This seems to be correct so far as the lesser thane is concerned, but 
to the King's thanes, the barons of Norman days, and to the middle thanes, 
the county knights of later times would seem more nearly to correspond. 
Speaking generally, however, the thane answered to the lord of the manor 
of Norman days. 

Libert homines or freemen was a term of considerable latitude, signifying 
sometimes the freemen or freeholders of a manor, at other times any 



holding by military tenure. Many of these were tenants in chief 
of the King. ' The ordinary freemen before the Conquest," says Kelham, 
" and at tin- time of compiling Domesday were under protection of great 
men ; but what their quality was, further than that their persons and blood 
were free, that is, that they were not nativi or bondmen, it will give a 
knowing man trouble to discover to us."' These freemen, under protection, 
are called in the Survey Libert homines commendati. They appear to have 
placed themselves by voluntary homage under this protection, their lord 

' Pollock and Maitland. i. p. 10. 

' Domesday Book Illustrated, p. 254. 



INTRODUCTION. xiii. 

or patron undertaking to secure their estates and persons ; and for this 
protection and security they paid him an annual stipend by way of acknow- 
ledgment, or performed some service annually. No doubt the origin of 
this " Commendatio " is to be found in the Roman civil law. 

The Commendati dimidii were persons depending on two several lords 
and paying half their protection fee to one and half to another lord. Sub 
Commendati were such as, like under-tenants, were under protection of those 
who were themselves depending for protection on some superior lord. 
Sub- Commendati dimidii were those who were under the Commendati 
dimidii, and had two patrons or protectors the same as they had. 

The socmen or sochemanni were those inferior land owners who had 
lands in the Soc or franchise of a great baron ; privileged villeins who, 
though their tenures were absolutely copyhold, yet had an interest equal 
to a freehold. Their services were fixed and determined, and they could 
not be compelled to relinquish their holdings at their lord's will, nor against 
their own. There were, however, different conditions of socmen, some 
enjoying the usufruct within the soc freely, others performing certain 
inferior services of husbandry. 

Villeins or villani were of various classes. Under Saxon rule they 
were in a condition of downright servitude, belonging with their children 
and goods to the lord of the soil like the cattle or stock on the land. They 
derived their names either from the word vilis, or else as Lord Coke says, a 
villa, because they lived chiefly in villages and were employed in rustic 
works of the most sordid kind. These villeins belonged principally to 
lords of manors, and were either villeins regardant, that is, annexed to the 
manor or land, or else they were in gross or at large, that is, annexed to the 
person of the lord and transferable by deed from one owner to another. 
Speaking generally, they answered to the Saxon gebur, whose normal holding 
in early Saxon days was the yard-land or a bundle of normally 30 scattered 
acres in the open fields held in villenage.' 

Bordars or bordarii. Lord Coke calls them " boors holding a little 
house with some land of husbandry, bigger than a cottage." Some have 
considered them as cottagers taking their name from living at the borders 
of a village or manor. Bishop Kennett says " they were those who had a 
bord or cottage with a small parcel of land allowed them on condition they 
supplied the lord with poultry and eggs and other small provisions for his 
board and entertainment." They were distinct from the servi and villani 
and of a less servile condition, performing such domestic works as grinding, 
threshing, drawing water, cutting wood, &c. Speaking generally they 
answered to the Saxon cotsette. 

The servi and villani are distinguished in Domesday, though the dis- 
tinction is difficult to determine beyond the fact that the former were a 
degree lower than the latter. The servi or bondmen were servants at the 
arbitrary pleasure of the lord appointed to servile works and received their 
wages and maintenance at his discretion. 

(2) As to the Land. The carucata or ploughland was as much arable 
land as could be managed with one plough, and the beasts belonging thereto 
in a year, having meadow, pasture and houses for the householders and 

' Seebohm, " The English Village Community " 2nd Ed., p. 164. 



V u INTRODUCTION. 

> K*Jnyiiff to it . The quantity was necessarily uncertain, as it differed 
according to the nature of the soil and the custom of husbandry in each 
county. Bishop Knm-tt. riting from a Deed in the Monasticon, informs 
us that a canicate in tin- n-ign of Richard the First was computed at 60 
acres. " Yet," he adds, " another charter, 9 Rich. I. allots a hundred 
ens to a canicate. And Fleta in the time of Edward the First says, if 
tend lay in three common fields, then nine score acres to a carucate, 60 
(or winter tillage, 60 for spring tillage, and 60 for fallow. But if the 
land lay in two fields then eight score acres to a carucate, one half for 
tillage and the other for fallow 

The caruca was a ploughteam of eight oxen. This was the normal 
ploughteam, but the number varied according to the nature of the soil, 
so consequently did the number of virgates in the hide or carucata. 1 

Sir Henry Ellis in his well-known Dissertations on Domesday, points 
out a matter which has occasioned some difficulty. He says, " In abbre- 

mg the Domesday returns the Norman scribes appear occasionally, 

i in the same county, to have used the contraction ca r or car' both for 
cantta and carucata, although the one signifies the plough and team, and 
the other, as Dr. Nash expresses it, the team's tillage. The omission to 
observe this has led many of the translators of Domesday into error." 

The Quarentena was the fortylong or furlong, from the French 
QtutrcnU, forty, a measure of forty perches or poles. In this computation 
the perch, according to the Monasticon Anglicanum (iii. 16) consisted of 
twenty fet-t " Quaelibet Virga unde Quarentenae mensurabuntur, erit 
viginti pedum." 

Sac was the power or privilege of hearing and determining causes and 
disputes, levying forfeitures and fines, executing laws, and administering 
justice within a certain precinct. Soc was the precinct or territory in which 
sac and other privileges were exercised. 

PECULIAR SERVICES. 

Not many manors or lands in Suffolk were held under peculiar services. 
One or two instances of grand and petty serjeanties are mentioned by 
Blunt in his Fragmenta Antiquitatis. Nedging and Kettlebaston were 
held by William de la Pole Marquess of Suffolk under a grant from Hen. VI. 
by the service of carrying a golden sceptre with a dove on the head of it 
upon the Coronation day of the King, his heirs, and successors ; as also a 
sceptre of ivory, with a golden dove on the head of it, upon the day of 
Coronation of the Queens of England. 

Rowland le Sarcere held one hundred and ten acres of land in 
Hemingston by serjeanty; for which on Christmas day every year before 
the King he had to perform an indecent service 3 which was subsequently 

' Flcia bb. ii. cap. 72 . 4. See " The Ploughland and the Plough " by Canon Taylor ; 
Dometday Studies, i. 143-186 ; Round's Feudal Studies, 87. 

Mr. Seebohm after examination of the connection between the oxen and the holdings 
came to the conclusion that the hide or carucate was a holding corresponding with 
Ibe poanMion of a full ploughteam of 8 oxen ; and that the half hide corresponded 
with the fioaieaiion of one of the 2 rakes of 4 abreast, while the virgate corresponded 
with the finneaiion of a pair of oxen and the half virgate or bovate with the 
pOHtwiou of a tingle ox ; all having their fixed relations to the full manorial plough- 
team of 8 oxen. (" The English Village Community," 2nd Ed., p. 65.) 



' Sand et temel, unum sVltum unum Sufflum, et unum Bombulum (Pla. Coron. 14 Edw. I. 
Rot 6 Done Sufi.). 



INTRODUCTION. xv. 

commuted at xxvis. viiid. a year payable at the King's Exchequer. One 
Baldwin formerly held the lands by the same services. 

John, son of Bartholomew de Aveyleres or D'Avillers, held a certain 
serjeanty in the town of Shelfhanger in the County of Norfolk, and Brome 
and Erwarton in the County of Suffolk, by the service of being Marshal of 
the Foot Soldiers of the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk in the King's 
army in Wales, when the King should happen to go thither with his army 
at the costs of the counties aforesaid. 1 

Walter Pychard of Wratting held one hundred acres of land of the 
King in chief by the Serjeanty of finding for him one Footman with 
a Bow and four Arrows, as often as the King went into Wales with his 
army, for forty days, at his own cost. 2 

Robert Bardolf held a certain tenement in Haughley in chief of the 
King by the Serjeanty of being and doing the office of Bailiff of the Honour 
of Haughley 3 ; and Geoffrey Frumbaud held sixty acres of land in Wingfield 
by the service of paying to the King two white doves yearly. 4 



' Pla. Coron. 14 Edw. I. Rot. 3 Norf. Rot. 6 in dorso Suff. 
' Pla. Coron. 14 Edw. I. Rot. 46. 
- Pla. Coron. 14 Edw. I. Rot. 9 Suff. 
4 Pla. Coron. 4 Edw. I. Rot. 6 in dorso. 



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BABERCH HUNDRED. 



8AXTON. 
1576. 



SPEED. 
1610. 




BOWEN, 
1777. 



THE 



MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 




BABERGH HUNDRED. 

(UFFOLK at a period prior to the Norman Conquest was 
divided into three parts the Liberty of St. Etheldreda, 
the Liberty of St. Edmund, and the Geldable. The 
Hundreds of Babergh and Blackbourn were both in the 
Liberty of St. Edmund. 

Queen Emma of Normandy, the mother of Edward the 
Confessor, had as a marriage portion, either from Ethelred in 
1002, or from her second husband Knut in 1017, jurisdiction in eight 
Hundreds and a half adjoining the Monastery of St. Edmund ; ^Elfric son 
of Earl Withgar and afterwards Ordgar having custody of the franchise. 

After the Coronation of the Confessor in 1043 he took into his own 
hands the possessions of his mother, to whom he does not appear to have 
been very favourably inclined, and on the petition of the Monks of St. 
Edmund bestowed upon them the eight hundreds and a half, and the 
gift was confirmed to the Monks by William the Conqueror. 1 

The fee continued in the Abbot of St. Edmund's until the dissolution 
of the Monasteries, when it passed to the Crown, where it has since con- 
tinued, the government being in the Sheriff and his officers. 

The Hundred of Babergh (Babburgh, Babenberga, Babenga, Babrig, 
Baburgh, Balberg) lies to the south-west of the County. The river Stour 
separates its western and southern boundaries from Essex, and it has several 
rivulets which fall into the Stour. On the west it is bounded by the same 
stream and the Hundred of Risbridge ; on the north by the Hundreds of 
Thingoe and Thedwestry ; and on the east by those of Cosford and; Samford. 
Nayland on the Stour, Lavenham, and Melford are its principal towns. The 
Borough of Sudbury is also within its borders, though the main part of 
the borough is in Essex. The Churches of Lavenham, Melford and Stoke 
are larger and richer than most others in the County, and are evidence of 
the comparative wealth of this part of the County in former days. 

Babergh Hundred contains the following 33 Parishes and 118 Manors : 



Parishes. 


Manors. 


Parishes. 


Manors. 




( Acton. 




Assington. 


Acton 


Clerbeck. 
Rokewodes. 


Assington . . 


Levenya, Stratton, 
Shimplingford. 




Leys. 




Aveley or Alvingley. 




\ Talemach. 




Boxford. 






Boxford . . . 


Pevton Hall. 


Alpheton . . 


Alpheton. 




Coddenham Hall. 



1 Regr. Nigrum de Vestrario Abb. S. Edmundi MS. Bibl. Publ. Cantab. Mm. 4, 
19 fol. 93 v. 

A 



THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



Box ford 



Brent Elrigh 



Bures. 



Cavendish . 



Chilton . . . 



Cockfield . 



Cornard 
Great . . . 



Cornard 
Little.. 



Manor*. 

^_^_^^_ i - 

Boweshowse al. Born- 
house. 

Boxstead Hall. 
Trokettso/.Trucketts 

Mores. 

Brent Eleigh. 
Abbot's Hall. 
Fen Hall. 
Bures. 

Overhall al. Roper's. 
Netherhall or Silves- 
ters. 

Smallbridge. 
Cornerth Hall al. 

Cornhall al. Nor- 

thall. 
Tany's. 
Overhall. 
De Grey's. 
Netherhall. 
Newhall. 
Houghton Hall. 
Bulley Hall. 
Impey or Impsey o 

Quipsey Hall. 
Kensings'or Kessings 

Hall. 
Peyton's. 

Peche's or Pechy's. 
More Hall. 
Collingham Hall. 
Stansfield Hall. 
Chilton als. Walding- 

field Hall,Carbonels 

with Chilton. 
Cockfield. 
Earl's Hall. 
Butlers al. Jacobbies. 
Pepers al. Colches- 

toe's. 
Cornard Magna or 

Abbas Hall. 
Grey's. 

Little Cornard. 
Cawston or Caxton's. 
Peacock's Hall. 
Series. 
Catcheleigh, Appul- 

gary's, Folybrok, 

Caneworth. 



Edwardston 



Glemsford . . 



Groton . . 

Hartest 
Lavenham . . 
Lawshall 



Melford 
Long 



Milden . . , 

Monk Illeigh 
Nayland , 



Newton 



Polstead . 



Preston 



Manors. 



Edwardston. 
Lynnes al. Algood's. 
Tewes or Tues al. 
Tendring. 

Glemsford. 
Methold's and Wim- 

bold's. 

Callis al. Tylnes. 
Glemsford al . 

Peverells. 

Groton. 
Castelins. 

Hartest. 

Lavenham. 

Lawshall. 

Long Melford. 
Monks Melford or 

Melford Monacho- 

rum. 
Luton's. 
Woolhouse. 
Woodfoule, and also 

Blakes. 
Cranevyles al. Craina- 

viles. 

Kentwell Hall. 
Melford Rectory. 

Milden al. Wells Hall. 
Bures or Bowers. 

Monk Illeigh. 
Nayland. 

Newton Hall. 
Sayham, Siam or 

Saxham Hall. 
Botelers al. Butlers 

or Buxtons. 

Polstead. 
Sprotts. 
Casteles. 

Newstead or New- 
stead Hall. 

Preston Hall or 

Church Hall. 
Swifts. 
Maisters. 
Mortimer's. 
( Priory. 



BABERGH HUNDRED. 



Parishes. 



Manors. 



Parishes. 



Manors. 



Shimpling . 

Somerton . 
Stanstead . 



Stoke by 
Nayland 



Shimpling. 

Chadacre or Chadacre 
Hall, Gifford and 
Boxstead's. 

Rowheads al. Rous- 
hedges. 

Somerton. 

Hores. 

Stanstead or Overhall. 

Netherhall. 

Woodhouse. 

Tendring Hall al. 
Stoke by Nayland. 

Giffard's Hall. 

Levenhey al. Nether- 
hall. 

Scotland Hall. 

Withermarsh. 

Capel. 

Chamberlain's. 

Causer's, Peachan's 
or Shardelowe's. 

Stoke Rectory. 



Sudbury . . 



Waldingfield 
Great 



Waldingfield 
Little 



Wiston 



| Wood Hall. 
( Place's. 

Carbonels or Butler's. 

Badley al. Peyton 
Hall. 

Brandeston Hall. 

Moreves al. Moreyes 
al. Saires, with 
Storkenest. 

Sandesford's al. Stan- 
ford. 

Dowres or Dowayres. 

Woodhall al. Wal- 
dingfield Parva. 
Netherhall. 
Holbrook Hall. 
Luns Hall. 

Wiston or Wissing- 

ton. 
Wiston Grange. 



From the Hundred Rolls we learn that the Countess Cloverine with- 
held certain suit for two years, which suit James de Makerel used to make 
to this Hundred 1 ; and that land of John de Buc of Sudbury owed suit 
which was withheld for 6 years. 2 In the Inquisition p.m. of Thomas 
Cavendish in 1477, land in this Hundred is referred to. 3 

Amongst the MSS. of the Earl of Ancaster is a certificate (1514-23) 
of Sir William Waldeyn, Sir William Clopton, George Mannok, Robert 
Crane and Robert Ford the Elder, commissioners, concerning the 
musters and for valuing men's substance in the Hundred of 
Babergh. Among the proprietors named are the Queen, the 
College of St. Gregory in Sudbury, Sir Edward Nevyll, the Duke of 
Norfolk, Sir William Waldegrave, Lady Peyton, the Guilds of St. Peter, 
St. John, the Trinity and St. Christopher in Boxford, the Provost of 
Cambridge, the Abbess of Dartford, Sir Richard Fitzlawes, Lady 
Salisbury the Abbess of Mailing, the Earl of Oxford and many others. 

Amongst the Bodleian Charters is an acknowledgment of delivery 
by Robert Crane to Thomas Abbot of Bury the Collector of moneys in 
Babergh Hundred 4 ; and amongst the Additional Charters in the British 
Museum are several Deeds relating to the same Hundred, 1517 to 1792.* 

It is stated in the Letter Book of the Deputy-Lieutenants and Justices 
of the Peace of Suffolk 1608-1640* that in a Rate of 1,500 for the whole 
County, the franchise of Bury was 500 ; of this 100 was payable out of 



1 H.R. ii. 143. 

' Ib. 

3 I.P.M., 17 Edw. IV. 4. 



' Bodl. Suff. Ch. 135. 

' Add. Ch. 10542, 10554. 

' 13 Rep. Hist. Com. pt. iv. 434. 



4 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Babergh Hundred, the same being levied upon every town within the said 
Hundred in the proportions given. 

In the Great Domesday of Ipswich, compiled in 1520, the taxes paid 
by every town in Suffolk to the King are specified. Originally the amount 
paid to thr King was uncertain, being levied by fresh assessments at each 
grant made by the Commons ; but in 1334 new taxations were made, by 

ie of the King's Commission which fixed the tax payable in each case. 
This is given in Liber Six t us of Richard Percyhale's Great Domesday 
Book and the portion relating to the Hundred of Babergh will be found 
in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute in 1885. This Hundred contains 
71,813 acres of land. 




ACTON. 5 

ACTON. 

N the time of King Edward the Confessor, Seward of Maldon 
the Thane held 12 carucates of land in Acton as a manor 
with soc and sac. There were 23 villeins, 38 bordars, 17 
slaves, 8 ploughteams in demesne, 20 belonging to the men, 
50 acres of meadow, wood for 40 hogs, 2 mills, 8 horses at the 
Hall, 34 beasts, 200 hogs, 300 sheep, 9 hives of bees and a 
church living to which were attached 30 acres of free land 
all valued at 20 pounds. By the time of the Norman Survey the value 
had increased to 30 pounds, and there had been various other changes. 
The 8 ploughteams in demesne had been reduced to 6, and those belonging 
to the men had come down to 14, one mill had disappeared, but the horses 
at the Hall had been increased to n. All the other animals, except the 
sheep, had been reduced in number, the 34 beasts were then 31, the hogs 
160, the 9 hives of bees were then 7, but the sheep from 300 had increased 
to 423. The manor was then held by Ranulph Peverell, and was excep- 
tionally large, extending into Melford, Sudbury Great and Little Walding- 
field, Milding and Edwardston. In Acton, besides what was held as a 
manor at the time of the Norman Survey, were 4 freemen whom Ranulf 
received as a holding of 50 acres. Acton was a league long and a league 
broad and paid 13^. in a gelt. 1 In course of time this huge manor became 
divided into five Acton Hall, Rokewodes, Clerbeck, Leys and Tale- 
mach, the last four being named after families who held the same 
respectively in early times. 

ACTON MANOR. 

Gipps says that the Tollemaches held the Manor of Acton 25 Edw. I., 
but their holding was, as we shall see, one of the Manors in Acton. The 
Inquis. quod damnum 4 Edw. II. (59) mentions a Bentley or " Benetteley 
Manor of " Acton Manor, of which at this time Hugh Talmache was seised, 
and as early as the 56 and 57 Henry -III. [1271-2] Hugh son of William 
Tallemache had a third of what is said to be the Manor of Acton claimed 
from him by Peter de Ryngesale and Margaret his wife. 2 Strangely enough 
the Tolemaches did at this time hold the Manor of Bentley near Ipswich. 
This Hugh Tollemache had a considerable amount of land undoubtedly in 
Acton in the time of Hen. III. in fact, half a fee held of the Honor of 
Hatfield Peverel 3 , and the family held their land as a distinct manor known 
as Talemach to which we will shortly refer. The several manors are 
indiscriminately referred to in the various documents as Acton Manor. 

The main manor belonged in the time of Rich. I. to the Hodebovilles, 
and in that King's reign was held by Ralph de Hodeboville. He died in 
1190, and Davy says (referring to another manor in Acton) he was 
succeeded by his son and heir John de Hodeboville who died in 1299, but 
this is not possible, as the son could not well have died a hundred and nine 
years after his father. Sir John de Hodeboville had the lordship in 1196." 
Davy makes the Hodebovile holding of Balisden Manor only, and starts 
the Manor of Acton practically with Robert de Bures in 1313. He labours 
under a delusion on this point, apparently not being aware of the Fine 

1 Dom. ii. 417. 3 Red Book of the Exch. cxxxv. rider c. ; 

* Abbr. of Pleas, 56 and 57 Hen. III. 8. T. de Nevill, 291 ; H.R. ii. 142 ; 

Chart. Rolls, 15 John 2, 3, 13 ; 

Testa de Nevill, 285. 
4 Abbr. of Pleas, 7 Rich. I. and 9 John 2. 



6 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

levied in the 5th year of Edw 1 1 and th<- entry on the Close Rolls 6 Edw. III. 1 
which show that Robert dr Hurt's and Hillaria his wife in 1311 acquired 
their interest from Rog r ! Hodeboville. The Red Book of the Exchequer 
does not mention the manor, but states that Sir John de Hodeboville held 
one fee in Acton of the Honor of Peverell in 1210-12.* An extent of the 
manor as held by John de Hodebovile, a son or grandson of the former 
John will be found in the Inquis. post mortem under his name in 1301.' 
i de Hodeboville and Matilda were the parents of John, who married 
Hillary, and they held 2 parts of the manor of the gift of Peter de Debenham 
and Roger de Hodebovyle. 4 It was John son of John de Hodebovill who 
had enfeoffed Peter de Debenham and Roger de Hodebovill of the manor. 5 
The other part of the manor at this time seems to have belonged to Walter 
de Hodeboville in right of his wife Elizabeth de Clerbeck.' The manor 
was vested in Roger de Hodeboville and was acquired from him by Robert 
de Bores and Hilary his wife in 1311', and between that time and 1331 
we meet with the following documents in connection with the manor : 
Licence to Robert Bures to alienate, no doubt by way of settlement' ; 
Inquisition and Extent, Alicia de Hodeboville 9 ; Fine, Robert de Bures 
and Hillaria his wife v. James de Bures and John de Bures 10 ; Fine, Robert 
de Bures and Hillaria his wife v. Edmund le Boteller 1329." Inquis. 1331 
Robert de Bures and Hillaria his wife." On the north side of the Chancel 
of Acton Church between two pillars and under a Gothic arch is a very ancient 
altar monument formerly adorned with a cross fleury, but now robbed of all its 
brasses except one escutcheon which belongs to the name of Buers. And 
on a flat stone in the north aisle is or was a portrait of a knight (in brass) 

6 feet high, completely armed, cross legged, at his feet a lion ; on his shield 
the arms of Bures. The inscription was engraved round the verge of the 
stone, at the upper end of which at the right-hand corner ' Robert de Bures ' 
is still legible. Ancient portraits as large and complete as this are very 
uncommon. This Robert de Bures was keeper of forfeited lands in Suffolk. 13 
The manor then passed to Sir Andrew de Bures and Alicia his wife as shown 
by an Inquis. p.m. in 1360. ' 4 Sir Andrew had died the 12 April, 1360. 
Gipps says Sir Andrew de Bures left two sons, Sir Robert and another. 
Sir Robert Bures died about 1393 (Blomefield says he died the 

7 Oct., 1361), and left Alice his sole daughter and heir married to Sir 
Guido de Bryan, but they both died without issue, 3 Hen. V. After 
them the second son of Sir Andrew was seated at Acton, and the 
family flourished again for many descents ; but at length Henry de Buers 
died in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Page agrees that this branch of the 
family terminated in the male line upon the death of Henry Buers which, he 



Pt. il 16. 

132 B. I52d.. cxxxv. rider c. Testa de 

Nevill, 271. 
' 29 Edw. I. 28, 2 Edw. II. 57. 

Calendar of Heirs extracted from the 

Inquisition I and 2 Edw. II. 
D.K.R. 32. App. i. p. 254. 
' Originialia 33 Edw. I., Rj. 14, I.P.M., 
Kdw. I. 217, Feet of Fines, 34 
Edw. I. 22. 

Extent. Elizabeth Clerbeck and Walter 

Hodeboville her husband, I. P.M., 
35 Edw. I. 21, Walter in right of 
Diaheth his wife I. P.M. 3 Edw. II. 
31, Hillary wife of John de Hode- 



boville I.P.M. 3 Edw. II. 12, Close 
Rolls, 3 Edw. II. 13. 
' Feet of Fines 5 Edw. II. 36, Close Rolls, 

6 Edw. II. pt. ii. 16. 
I.Q.D., 6 Edw. II. 53. 
I.P.M., 8 Edw. II. 19. 
" Feet of Fines, n Edw. II. 17. 

Feet of Fines, 3 and 4 Edw. II. 37. 
I.P.M., 5 Edw. III. 55. 
1 Close Rolls, 17 Edw. II. 36, 20, 15, 18 
Edw. II. 20. For Pedigree see 
Add. MSS. inBrit.Mus. 19121, and 
for brasses of de Bures see Publica- 
tions of Suffolk Institute vol. i. 26. 
" I.P.M., 34 Edw. III. 60. 



ACTON. 7 

says, was in 1528 " who left issue by Anne his wife, daughter of Sir Wm. 
Waldegrave of Smallbridge in Bures, three daughters, Joan, Bridget and 
Anne. These co-heirs married Sir William, Thomas and Edmund Butts 
sons of Sir William Butts, Knt., Physician to Hen. VIII. Joan and Bridget 
the wives of Sir William and Thomas Butts died without issue, and Anne 
the only daughter and heiress of Edmund Butts and Anne his wife married 
Nicholas eldest son and heir of Sir Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper who inherited 
the manor in her right, and it continued in their descendants for many 
generations. In 1764 Sir Richard Bacon Bart, of Colchester held the 
property. It now belongs to Earl Howe, who is lord of the manor by 
purchase from the Bacon family." This statement, however, does not 
seem to agree with the facts. In the first place Henry Buers had four 
daughters, not three, 1 and the fourth daughter Mary married Thomas 
Barrow and had a large family, 5 sons and 4 daughters, viz., Thomas, who 
died without issue, William, Henry, Edward, John, Anne, Bridget, Elizabeth, 
and Mary. In verification of our statement we may mention that the 
grant of wardship of the four daughters and co-heirs of " Henry son of 
Robert Bures of Acton " to William Buttes is still in existence, and is 
dated the gth August, I52Q. 2 The whole statement of Page, if intended to 
show how the manor descended, is an entire delusion, and but demonstrates 
how the history of Suffolk has been almost invariably treated. Of course, 
no complete history has yet appeared, and with the exception of Suckling's 
four Hundreds and the Hundred of Thingoe by Gage, Cullum's Hawstead, 
and Gage's Hengrave, nothing worthy of the name of history has appeared 
in connection with th,e County. 

Now Sir Guy Bryan, who married the Buers heiress, did not die 
without issue as stated by Gipps, nor did the manor descend as inferred 
both by him and Page. Sir Guy Bryan and Alice his wife who died the 
nth January, J-434 3 , left a daughter Elizabeth married to Robert Lovell. 
Elizabeth Lovell died about 1438, and the manor is included in her Inquisi- 
tion p.m. 4 She left a daughter Matilda, married to John i^th Earl of 
Arundel, who died the i2th June 1435, and they had a son Humphrey i4th 
Earl of Arundel, who survived his father 3 years, but died at the early 
age of 9 on the 24th April, 1438, and the manor is mentioned in his 
Inquisition p.m. 5 On Elizabeth Lovell's death about 1438 the manor 
passed to her grandson Humphrey Earl of Arundel, and on his death the 
same year to his sister Amicia, who was married to James Butler Earl of 
Ormond and Wiltshire, and died in 1457 without issue. 6 On the Patent 
Rolls appears a grant of the manor by Edw. IV. to Thomas Cole and the 
heirs male of his body, it being then described as " occupied by Thomas 
Roos Knt., and James, late Earl of Wilts respectively as their right of 
inheritance." 7 But in the seventh year of the same monarch there is a 
grant of the manor by him to Henry Earl of Essex and his wife Isabel and 
the heirs of their bodies. 8 Henry Bourchier, Earl of Essex, was in 1447 
created Viscount Bourchier, 9 and in 1455 constituted Lord Treasurer of 
England ; but notwithstanding the favours received from the King he 

' I.P.M., of Henry Bures 20 Hen. VIII. 87. 'Pat. Rolls, i Edw. IV. pt. iv. 14, 4 

' 13 Rep. Hist. Com. pt. iv. 406. Edw. IV. pt. ii. 28. 

' I.P.M., 13 Hen. VI. 34. 8 Pat. Rolls, 7 Edw. IV. pt. ii. 16. 

4 I.P.M., 16 Hen. VI. 46. For full account of his lordship, see under 

5 I.P.M., 16 Hen. VI. 50. Hopton Manor in Blackbourn 
* I.P.M., 35 Hen. VI. 16. See account of Hundred. 

him under Bures Manor in this 
Hundred. 



8 THE MANORS r OF SUFFOLK. 

fonook his Royal master and espousing the interests of the Earls of March 
and Warwick was invested with the Treasurership of England by the 
former, and on his accession to the Throne as Edw. IV. was created Earl 
of Essex His estates were greatly swelled by the confiscations which 
befel the attainted Earl of Wiltshire and the Lord Roos. He married 
Isabel sister of Edw. IV., and by her had issue William who married Anne 
daughter of Kuhanl Widville Karl Rivers and sister of Elizabeth 
Owen of Edw. IV., and dird in his father's lifetime, leaving Henry 
& CTCCT38QT as 2nd Earl of Essex. Henry Bourchier first Earl 
of Essex died the 4th April, 1483', when the manor passed to his widow 
Isabel, who died the 2nd October following. 1 The manor did ultimately 
come back, as Page states, to Robert Bures son and heir of William, and 
he died seised the loth July, 1524', leaving a son Henry Bures who married 
Anne daughter of Sir William Waldegrave of Smallbridge in Bures, and 
died the oth July, 1528, leaving four daughters. Dr. William Buttes or 
Butt us serviens ct medicus " of Hen. VIII. and an early 

member of the College of Physicians, obtained from the Sovereign the 
wardship of the four daughters and co-heirs of Henry Bures, and seems to 
have well feathered his nest by the acquisition. Buttes is frequently 

red to in the State Papers, which show how great a favourite he was 
with tlx King. The Bures estates consisted of the Manors of Acton, Rey- 
don. and Whersted, and other lands in the County of Suffolk and in Essex. 

ve bonds still extant given by Buttes to the Treasurer of the King's 
Chamber shew that this wardship was far from being a free gift. 4 On the 
loth November, 1529, Dr. Buttes had a grant of an annuity of forty marks 
out of his wards' estates during the wardship ; and subsequently his three 
sons married three out of the four co-heiresses. The fourth daughter 
was married to Thomas Barrowe, and William Barrowe his son and heir 
seems to have had the manor in 1591, or a share in it, which in 1599 had 
passed to Sir Nicholas Bacon, Knt., son of the Lord Keeper, he having 
married at Redgrave, 2 May, 1562, Anne only daughter and heir of Edmund 
Butts, and Anne his wife 5 third daughter of Henry Bures. This marriage was 
a scheme of his father, the Lord Keeper, for the bridegroom was but fourteen 
and the bride but 12 at the time of their marriage, in 1562. It was foreseen 
that Anne at that time would become the heiress of her two uncles, and 
their wives as well as of her mother, for they were all parties to the 
marriage settlement, 6 and to the seven royal licences of alienation which 
were necessary to give legal effect to the assurances. The settlement is 
dated the 3 Oct. 3 Eliz. [1561], and is an elaborate document dealing with 
the estates of Thomas Buttes as well as those of his wife. Two counter- 
parts exist each consisting of two large skins of vellum, and they are signed 
and sealed by the parties. They are splendidly engrossed on red lines 
after the faslu'on of letters patent of that period. Three fines were limited 
pursuant to the settlement of the 4th part in the manor during Hilary 
term 4 Eliz. by Sir Nicholas Bacon, and against Sir William Buttes, Anne 
Buttes, widow, and Thomas Buttes respectively. 

1 I.P.M., i Rich. III. 31. husband 60 years, but did not 

' I.P.M., 2 Rich III. 35. re-marry. She had a moiety of 

I.P.M.,16 Hon. VIII. 35 where the manor the Manor of VVherstead, William 

* said to be held of the King as of Barrowe, second son of Mary, hav- 

Hat field Honor valued at 20 p. an. ing the other moiety. 
' 13 Rep. Hist. Com. pt. iv. 406. Articles and Agreements 3 Sept. 1561 

' She liwd till the 22 Dec., 1609, in her 13 Rep. Hist. Com. pt. iv. 413. 
year. She survived her 



ACTON. 9 

Sir Nicholas Bacon was knighted in 1578, and was the first baronet 
created in 1611. Besides the succession of inheritances which accrued to 
him from his marriage, he enjoyed the large possessions left him by his 
father in 1579. Sir Nicholas Bacon died the I3th Nov. 1624,' an d was 
succeeded by his son and heir Sir Edmund Bacon, who died the loth April, 
1649, and was succeeded by his brother Sir Robert Bacon who died the 
16 Dec. 1655. Sir Robert Bacon was succeeded by his brother Sir Butts 
Bacon. He married Dorothy dau. of Sir Henry Warner of Parham Kt., 
and widow of William 2nd son of Sir Robert Jermyn Knt., and died in 1661, 
when the manor passed to his son and heir Sir Henry Bacon Bt., who removed 
to Herringfleet, where his father had built a seat. He married Barbara 
dau. of Wm. Gooch of Mettingham. He was succeeded by his son and heir 
Sir Henry Bacon Bt., who married Sarah dau. of Sir John Castleton of 
Sturston, Bart., and died in 1685-6, when the manor passed to his son and 
heir Sir Edmund Bacon 4th Bart., who married first Philippa dau. of Sir 
Edmund Bacon of Redgrave, and secondly Mary dau. of John Castell of Raven- 
ingham, and dying in 1721 the manor passed to his eldest son by his first 
marriage Sir Edmund Bacon 5th Bart., who married Susan dau. of Sir Isaac 
Rebow of Colchester, Essex, and dying the 2 Oct. 1738 the manor passed to 
his son and heir Sir Edmund Bacon 6th Bart. He died unmarried in 1750, 
when the manor passed to his uncle Sir Henry Bacon 7th Bart., who 
dying in 1753 unmarried it went to his brother Sir Richard Bacon 8th Bt. 
who married first Bridget Mahew, and second Lucy Gardiner, and dying in 
1773 without male issue surviving the manor with the title passed to his 
nephew Sir Edmund Bacon gth Bt., the eldest son of Castell Bacon and of 
Elizabeth dau. of Richard Dashwood of Cockley Cley in Norf ., his wife, the 
youngest son by his second marriage of Sir Edmund Bacon 4th Bart. 
Sir Edmund Bacon gth Bart, married Anne daur. of Sir Wm. Beauchamp 
Proctor Bart, and K.B. The manor now belongs to Earl Howe/an ancestor 
having purchased from the Bacon family. Court Rolls of Acton Manor 
for 18-19 Rich. II. and Hen. IV. are in the Public Record Office. 3 

CLERBECK MANOR. 

Another manor in Acton called Clerbeck was long held by a family 
of this name. We learn from the Red Book of the Exchequer that in 1210 
Sir Henry de Clerebec held half a fee and Hamo de Clerebec another half 
fee in Oreton of the Honor of Peverel 4 ; and further, somewhat later, that 
Hamo son and heir of Henry de Clerebec was under age, and ought to be 
in the custody of the King, who had the Honor of Peverel. 5 Also from 
the Hundred Rolls that Robert de Clerbek gave 3 acres in Acton to the 
religious house of Hatfield in frankalmoin. 6 Robert de Clerbeck died in 
1272, and was succeeded by John de Clerbeck, who died 1285, and having 
had an only son Walter who died in his father's lifetime was succeeded by 
his 3 sisters Joan, Isabella, and Alicia, his co-heirs, who in 1290 paid their 
relief. Henry de Clerbeck is the next Lord we meet with, and an extent 
of this manor will be found in his Inquisition p.m. in I29&. 7 Elizabeth de 
Clerbeck, probably the widow of Henry, was the next holder of the manor, 
and died in 1303, when it passed to her son Robert de Clerbeck, who died 
in 1329. The Originalia Rolls show that Joan de Clerbeck in 1332 held 

1 I.P.M., 7 Nov. I Car. I. * I52d. cxxxv. rider c. 

* See Rokewodes Manor, Acton, in this 5 Testa de Nevill, 300. 

Hundred. 6 H.R. ii. 144. 

3 Portfolio 203, i. i I.P.M., 24 Edw. I. 45. 



xo THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

lands by the sen-ice of a yd part of a knight's fee, and the King took homage 

of Walt -de her son and heir of all lands she held of the Honor 

of Peverrll.' e years later this Walter de Clerbek had licence toenfeoff 

Robert de Rokwod and John de Fordham, chaplain of a messuage 80 acres 

of land 4 of meadow 2 of pasture 10 of wood and 30$. of rent in Acton, 

h was probably this Clerbeck Manor, and for them to regrant to him, 

Alice his wife, and his heirs.' Walter seems to have died the next year, 

leaving John his son and heir. 1 John Clerbeck died in 1385, and the 

manor then seems to have consisted of one messuage 100 acres of land 5 of 

meadow one of pasture 10 of wood and 305. rent in Acton and Preston. 4 

He was succeeded by his son and heir John, and he by his widow Hawsia 

for life. She died in 1426, and was succeeded by John Clerbeck son and 

. who died in 1427, and was succeeded by his son and heir Walter, who 

died in 1437. The manor then consisted of i messuage containing 4 acres 

called Clerebeks 84 acres of land 10 of wood 6 of meadow 4 of 

pasture and 145. rent in Acton, Kettlebaston, Sudbury, Melford and 

Preston.' Walter Clerbeck was succeeded by his son and heir Thomas 

who died in 1482,* and the manor passed to his son and heir Andrew 

who died in 1500, and was succeeded by his son and heir Thomas. Thomas 

Clerbeck was succeeded by his son and heir Thomas who died in 1527 

without issue, and was succeeded by his Aunt Joan wife of Wm. Partrich, 

at whose death in 1530 the manor passed to her nephews William Lucy, 

Henry Mack-William, Edmund Walgrave, Roger Martin, Richard Merton, 

Edward Danyell, Thomas Ligate, Thomas Smerte, clerk and John Cordall. 

The manor was sold to Thomas Daniel third son of Edmund Daniel by 

Grace daughter and heir of Sir Richard Baynard Knt. of Messing in Essex 

which Edmund was son of Sir Thomas Daniell Knt. created Lord of Rathivire 

in Ireland by King Edward IV. and Margaret his wife daughter 

of Sir Robert and sister of Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk. Thomas 

Daniell the purchaser married ist Anne daughter of Sir Edmund Lucy, and 

2ndly Frances daughter of John Butler of Coventry, widow of Edward 

Felton of Pentlow in Essex. His will is dated the 31 July 8 Eliz. and on his 

death in 1566 the manor passed to his son and heir Edmund Daniell. He 

married Margaret daughter and co-heir of Edmund West of Cornard, and 

died the 5 Oct. 1569. His will is dated the 29 Aug. n Eliz. His eldest 

son and successor John Daniell married Margaret d. and co-h. of Edmund 

Tyrrel, but died in 1596 without issue when the manor passed to his brother 

Francis Daniell; after which it descended with Rokwodes Manor next 

dealt with. 

ROKEWODES. 

Another manor in Acton called Rokewodes was held by the Rokewood 
family, also as of the Honor of Hatfield Peverell and probably originally 
formed part of Clerbeck. In 1302 Roger de Stoke and Joan his wife, Alan 
de Rokewode and Elizabeth his wife, and Godfrey de Leyes and Alice 
his wife' gave the King for relief 50 shillings in respect of half a fee in this 
This Alan de Rokewode left issue Sir Robert de Rokewode, who 
married Margaret daughter of Michael de Bures. There is a licence on the 
Patent Rolls for this Robert to enfeoff John de Bures and Robert Clerebek 

' Original.*, 6 Edw. III. 16. > I.P.M., 15 Hen. VI. 23. 

Pat. Rolls, ii Edw. III. pt. i. 38. I.P.M.. 21 Edw. IV. 13. 

n I 2 E<!w ' IH "' I5 Edw> IIL ** ' (W 11 ' 011 J an ' Elizabeth, and Alice were 
' 4. App. ii. p. 136. granddaughters and heirs of Henry 

I.P.M.. 9 Rich. II. 17. de Clerbeck.) 



ACTON. ii 

of a messuage 140 acres of land, 7 of meadow 6 of pasture 28 of wood 405. 
of rent and a third part of a messuage and of a mill in Acton held in chief 
as of the Honor of Peverell and for the feoffees to regrant the same to him and 
Margaret his wife. 1 He died in 1333,* and the manor passed to his son 
Sir Robert de Rokewode who had a son Sir John de Rokewode of Stoke- 
by-Nayland. On Sir John de Rokewood's death two parts of the manor 
passed to his widow Joan who died in I39i, 3 and was succeeded by her son 
John de Rokewood. He died also in 1391, and was succeeded by his 
brother and heir, William Rokewood who died in I422. 4 Davy says he 
was succeeded by his son and heir William, who was succeeded by his son 
and heir Thomas, and he in 1422 by his son and heir John ; but this seems 
to be erroneous, for the Inquisition on William de Rokewood in 1422 
states that he died the 26 April, leaving John Rokewood his son and heir 
aged 21 years. By an Inquisition recited on the Patent Rolls in 1424 it 
was found that William Rokewod had conveyed the manor to Thomas 
Swynborne and others in fee. 5 The next lord was Sir Richard Waldegrave, 
but how he became entitled does not appear. He died in I434, 6 and was 
succeeded by his son and heir Sir William Waldegrave, and he by his eldest 
son and heir Sir Richard Waldegrave who died without issue in 1439. 
The manor then passed to Thomas Daniel, who had purchased the Manor of 
Clerbeck. Both the manors being vested in the family of Daniels they 
built the mansion called Acton Place, which was erected on the site of the 
old mansion of the Clerbecks. The manor devolved with the Manor of 
Clerbeck to Francis Daniel, who married Margaret daughter of Roger 
Martyn of Long Melford and left a son John Daniel, who inherited the 
property and married 1st Katharine and 2ndly Elizabeth daughter of Sir 
Edward Waldegrave Knt. of Stansgate. A licence for this John Daniel to 
alienate (no doubt by way of settlement) the manors of Rokwodes and 
Clerbeck in 1628 will be found amongst the Sloane MSS. in the British 
Museum. 7 John Daniel died in 1638, and was succeeded by his son and 
heir Charles Daniel who married Mary daughter of Edward Standish of 
Standish, and was buried at Acton the 12 April 1658. He or his son and 
heir John Daniell who had no issue sold the manors to Robert Jennens 
Aide-de-camp to the great Duke of Marlborough and grandson of Humphrey 
Jennens of Erdington Hall co. Warwick, who had amassed an enormous 
fortune as an ironmaster in Birmingham. Robert Jennens married Anne 
daughter and heir of Carew Guidott a lineal descendant of Sir Anthony 
Guidott Knt. a noble Florentine employed on several embassies by Edw. VI. 
He died in 1725-6, and was buried in Acton Ch. with the following 
inscription : 

To the Memory of 

Robert Jennens of Acton Place in the County of Suffolk Esqr. fourth 
son of Humphrey Jennens Esqr. of Worwickshire who died the sth of 
February i?2f in the 54th year of his age leaving only one son William 
Jennens by Anne his wife only daughter and heiress of Carew Guidott of 
Hampshire Esqr. He purchased the Estate and began the House. This 
monument was erected by his wife who also built this Chapel. She died 
the 24th December 1761 aged 85 and is deposited in the family vault under 
the Chancel adjoining to this Chapel with the remains of her said husband. 

1 Pat. Rolls, 10 Edw. II. pt. ii. 26. ' I.P.M., 15 Rich. II. pt. i. 56. 

Originalia, 10 Edw. II. 15, I.Q.D., ' I.P.M., 10 Hen. V. 7. 

9 Edw. II. 74. 5 Pat. Rolls, 2 Hen. VI. pt. i. 32. 

1 I.P.M., 27 Edw. III. 31, 160 acres of 6 I.P.M., 13 Hen. VI. 27. 

Honor of Peverell. ' Slo. xxxii. 59, Add. 106. 



xt THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Robert Jennens was succeeded by his only son William Jennens for whom 
William III. stood sponsor, and who was in his youth page to George 1. 
\\ ilham Jcnnm- In <<! and died a bachelor being reckoned to be the richest 
commoner in England. He was the last annuitant of the Exchequer tontine of 
100 share for which he received 3,000 a year for a lengthy period. In his 
safe were found at his death 19,000, and at his bankers he kept 50,000. 
s funded property amounted to 796,554, and he had an estate bringing 
in 8,000 a year. A will was found in his coat pocket, but unsigned, owing, 
as his servant said, t<> hi- having forgotten his spectacles at home when 
he went to his solicitor for the purpose of executing it. He died at Acton 
the 19 June 1798 at the ace of 97. 

\Vm. Jennens's own aunt was mother to William 

Hanmer of the Fenns, who married his first cousin Miss Jennens of Gopsal 
bv whom he had a daughter Hester who married Assheton Curzon afterwards 
Viscount Curzon by whom she had a son the Hon. Penn Assheton Curzon, who 
married Sophia Charlotte, Baroness Howe, and died the i Sept. 1797, leaving 
George Augustus W illiam Curzon, heir-at-law to all the real estate of William 
Jennens. He died the 6 Jan. 1805, when his brother Richard William Penn 
Curzon inherited these manors. He married ist Harriett Georgiana Brude- 
nell, 2nd daughter of Robert 6th Earl of Cardigan, and had issue George 
Augustus Frederick Louis and Richard William Penn and other 
children. The eldest son succeeded as 2nd Earl Howe on the death of 
hi- fatlu-r the 12 May 1870, and married Harriet Mary daughter of Henry C. 
Sturt, and had a daughter Harriet Alice. The 2nd Earl Howe died in 
1876, and was succeeded by his brother Richard William Penn Curzon- 
HOWI-, 3rd Earl Howe, who married in 1858 Isabella Katherine eldest 
daughter of Major-General the Hon. George Anson. He died in 1903 and 
was succeeded by his eldest son Richard George Penn Curzon-Howe 4th 
Earl Howe and the present holder of these manors. The magnificent house 
originally designed for Acton Place was never completed. 

Anns of Daniel : Arg. a pale fusiles sa. of Jennens : Arg. a chevron 
sable between 3 plummets of the second rimmed Or Howe, Quarterly, ist 
and 4th Or, a fesse between three wolves' heads, erased, sa. for Howe ; 2nd 
and 3rd Arg., on a bend, sa., three popinjays, or, beaked and legged, gu., 
for Curson. 

LEYS MANOR. 

In the time of Edward I. we meet with a small manor in Acton 
called Leys (or Leyes called after a family here in the time of Edw. 
II.), which by the time of Henry VI. became joined with the Manor 
of Rokewodes. In 1296 this manor belonged to Alice daughter and co-heir 
of Robert de Clerbeck, who married Geoffrey de Leyes. He was lord in 
his wife's right, and on his death, for by some accounts he seems to have 
died in her lifetime, the manor passed to his widow. She died in 1312' 
and was succeeded by her son and heir Robert de Leyes. On Robert de 
Leyes's death Anne his widow succeeded and she was followed by her 
only daughter Beatrix,* married to Stephen Bacon. The manor seems in 
the time of Hen. VI. to have belonged to Richard Waldegrave, and was 
;bsequently acquired by the Rokewoods, for William Rokewood died 
seised of it in 1422, when it passed to his son and heir John. 3 He was 
followed by Sir Richard Waldegrave Knt., who died the 2 May 1434,* 

I r M.. 5 Edw. II. 59. i. p.M. 10 Hen. V. 7. 

I.P.M., 13 Hen. VI. a. . I.P.M. 13 Hen. VI. 27. 



ACTON. 13 

and was succeeded by his son and heir Sir William Waldegrave and he 
by his eldest son Sir Richard who died in 1439 without issue. The 
devolution is subsequently identical with the Manor of Rokewodes. 

TALEMACH MANOR. 

The Manor of Talemach early lost its identity, for we learn nothing of 
it after 1329, though as a " place called Talmages in Acton Manor " we 
meet with it in the Inquis. p.m. of Henry Bures in 20 Hen. VIII. There 
were five lords practically in succession of the name of Hugh Talemach. The 
first was lord in 1213, the 2nd in 1220, the 3rd died in 1297,' the 4th Hugh 
was succeeded by his widow Illaria who died in 1301, and the 5th Hugh was 
seised with his wife Katherine and died in 1311, * being succeeded by his son 
and heir John. The successor of this John Talemach was another Hugh Tale- 
mach, but it does not appear that lie was seised of more than a fourth of 
the manor. An action was brought by Peter de Ryngesale and Margaret 
his wife against Hugh son of William Talemathie claiming a third part of this 
Manor in 1272 . 3 

A " Talmaghe Manor " is included in the Inquis. p.m. of Sir Robert 
Broughton, who died the 17 Aug. 21 Hen. VII. [1505] leaving John his 
son and heir 4 and a "Talmages Manor" in that of Robert Drury who died 
the 2 March 26 Hen. VIII. [1534] leaving Sir Wm. Drury his son and 
heir. 5 



i 



v ) 




ACTOK PLACE. 



1 Extent. I.P.M. 25 Edw. I. 16. 

3 Benetteley Manor, I.Q.D., 4 Edw. II. 59. 

3 Abbr. of Pleas 56 and 57 Hen. III. 8. 



I.P.M. 22 Hen. VII. I. 
s I.P.M. 27 Hen. VIII. 24. 




THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

ALPHETON MANOR 

LONGED in the time of King John to Walter de Bernham 
who had a grant of free warren here. 1 There was an action 
as to the title to the ndvowson between this Walter de 
Bernham and the Abbot of Albemarle in which the latter 
pleaded a grant of Count Stephen de Albemarle and con- 
firmation of Count William his son and vouched to 
warrant Count Baldwin who married the heiress of the 
said Count.' He was dead before 1231, for we find from the Close 
Rolls that an order was given to the Sheriff not to allow Robert de Sancto 
Albano to distrain on this manor, he having in his custody the son and heir 
of Walter de Bernham, for the debt of a certain Jew. 3 The infant was 
another Walter, as we learn from a fine in which Walter de Thurkelby was 
plaintiff and Walter de Bernham deforceant respecting the manor and 
advowson. 4 This Walter was still holding the manor in 1266,' and the 
following entries relating to the manor are from the Feet of Fines 24 Edw. 
I. 23 [1296] William de Mortuo Mari clerk v. John de Bernham and Mary 
his wife 30 Edw. I. 8 [1302] Robert de St. Quintino v. William de Mortuo 
Mari. 5 Edw. II. 2 [1311] John de Whelnitham and Alice his wife v. Geoffrey 
de Ketlesberston and Nicholas de Whelnitham. Davy states the descent 
of the lordship to be as follows : 

9 Edw. II. [1316] John de Whelnetham living 1321. William 
Inge and Isolda his wife died in 1321. 

15 Edw. II. [1322] Joan daughter of William Inge and Margery 

his wife late wife of Sir Eudo la Zouch Knt. heir. Sir John 

de Whelnetham son and heir of John died in 1365. Margaret 

daughter and heir of John de Whelnetham died in 1384. 
She married Sir John de Brokesborn. 

John de Welnetham had free warren here in 1318.' It would appear 
that on the death of John Whelnetham the manor passed to his son Sir 
John, and on his death passed to Margaret his daughter and heir who was 
married to Sir John de Brokesbourn Knt. who died in 1383 and was 
succeeded by his son and heir Edmund de Brokesbourn. His 
only daughter and heir Eleanor married Sir William Raynforth 
and carried the manor into that family. 7 Sir William Raynforth 
died in 1434, and the manor passed to Sir Lawrence Raynforth Knt. 
his son and heir, who was succeeded by his son and heir Sir 
John Raynforth and he by his son and heir Sir John Raynforth who 
died without issue. The next lord was Edward Latimer of Freston, who 
died the 20 May 1541," and was succeeded by his son and heir Christopher 
Latimer, against whom in 1563 a fine of the manor was levied by Edmund 
Bookynge. 9 On the death of Christopher Latimer the manor seems to have 
passed to his daughter and heir Anne. Sir Roger Martin Kt. of Long 
Melford son of Richard Martin by Eleanor his ist wife dau. of Francis 
Mannock of Giffard's Hall in Stoke by Nayland was the next lord. He died 
in 1556 and was buried at Long Melford on the 5th Oct. that year according 

1 See Fine i John 14, 6 John 20 ~and ' The manor is mentioned in an Inquis. 

Abbr. of Pleas 6 John. p.m of Margeria wife of Sir John 

Abbr. of Pleas de Banco, t. John in dorso. de Sutton in 1738. I.P.M. 8 Rich. 

OOM Rolls, 15 Hen. III. m. 9. II. 33. 

Feet of Fines. 35 Hen. III. 88. " I.P.M. 33 Hen. VIII. 

H.K. ii. 143, 153. . Fine Easter 5 Eliz. 
Chart. Rolls, 12 Edw. II. 88, 



ALPHETON. 15 

to the Registers, though he is usually stated to have died in 1657. From 
this time to the time of Sir Roger Martin created a baronet the 19 Car. II. 
the manor devolved in the same course as the Manor of Stanstead or Over- 
hall in Stanstead in this Hundred. Sir Roger Martin sold the manor 
to Houblon of London whose daughter married John Littell or Little. 
Mrs. Little was lady of the manor in 1764, and was succeeded by her son 
and heir George Saubridge Littel whose daughter and heir Elizabeth 
married Sir Robert Clarke of Freckenham Bart. The manor was devised 
after their death and the death of their son to Nathaniel Barnardiston of the 
Ryes Sudbury only son of John Barnardiston by Anne his wife dau. of 
Edward Leeds of Croxton Park co. Cambridge Serjeant-at-law. 
Sir Robert Clarke died in 1770, and his lady in 1797, surviving her son 
Sir John Clarke Bart, who had died in 1782. Nathaniel Barnar- 
diston married in 1783 Elizabeth Joanna only child of John Styles of 
Kingston, Surrey, and dying the 23 Dec. 1837 the manor passed to his 
son Nathaniel Clarke Barnardiston who married the i March 1826 Sophia 
dau. of George Robert Eyres of Cavenham House co. Norfolk by Louisa 
his wife dau. of Sir Harry Parker, Bart., of Melford, and on his death in 1883 
passed to Col. Nathaniel Barnardiston his s. and h. the present lord, who 
in Feb. 1858 married Lady Florence Legge dau. of Wm. 4th Earl of Dart- 
mouth. Nathaniel Walter Barnardiston his eldest son and heir-apparent 
in 1892 married Sarah Hall 3rd dau. of D. R. Floyd-Jones of Fort Neck 
House, Long Island, formerly Lieut. -Governor of New York. 

Arms of Martin : Argent, a Chevron between three mascles sable, 
within a bordure engrailed gu. 




Z 6 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

ASSINGTON. 

the time of the Confessor 8 carucates of land were held 
here as a manor by Seward of Maiden the Thane, and he 
had soc and sac. There were then 21 bordars, 14 slaves, 
7 ploughteams in demesne, 13 ploughteams belonging to 
the men, wood for 30 hogs, 15 acres of meadow, i mill, 
6 horses at the Hall, 24 beasts, 100 hogs, 210 sheep, and 14 
hives of bees and there was a church living with 30 acres of 
free land. By the time of the Norman Survey the bordars had increased to 
55, but the slaves had diminished by two, the ploughteams in demesne had 
come down one, and those belonging to the men also by one. There 
were 5 horses at the Hall in lieu of 6, one beast less, 40 hogs and 120 sheep 
less, while the hives of bees had come down from 14 to 6. There were, 
however, 12 goats additional. The manor was then held by Ranulf 

Peverell.'' 

There were also in Assington five freemen under the same Seward by 
commendation and soc, but they could sell their lands provided they 
remained within the soc ; and among them they had 30 acres of land, 
i acre of meadow and I ploughteam. There was another freeman here, 
free so far as his land was concerned, but not belonging to the manor, of 
which Ranulf s predecessor in title had commendation and soc. He held 
30 acres, and had one ploughteam which was in Saxon times valued at 
10 pounds, later at 12, but by Domesday times at 20 pounds. The Great 
Record, however, notes that it could not render within 100 shillings of 
that amount. Of the 20 pounds, 20 shillings were set on the free men. 
The place was a league long and 8 quarentines broad and paid yd. in a 
gelt.' 

ASSINGTON MANOR. 

The manor belonged, as we have seen, at the time of the Domesday 
Survey to Ranulf Peverell. He had married Maud, a Saxon, daughter 
of Ingelric and mother of William Peverell by William the Conqueror. 
Dugdale says Ranulf Peverell was the reputed progenitor of the several 
families of the name of Peverell. Ranulf was succeeded by his son 
Matthew Peverell, who married Oliva and was succeeded by his son and 
heir William Peverell who held the manor in the time of Hen. I. when it 
passed with the Honor of Peverell into the King's hands. 5 He gave the 
manor to William Lungespeye, who gave the same to Robert de Buiffuns ; 
but by the time of King John it had returned to that monarch, who gave 
the manor to Andrew de Bello Campo, whose son John de Bello Campo 
held the same in the time of Hen. III. There is an order on the Close 
Rolls in 1225 to take into the hands of the King the lands which John de 
Bello Campo had in Assington and to give seisin to Roger de Clare. 4 It 
appears, however, that in 1275 the manor was held by Arnold de 
Boys or de Bosco, 5 who on his death in 1277* was succeeded by William 
de Bosco. In 1296 William de Bosco enfeoffed Millicent de Monto 
Alto of a moiety of the manor in order that she might grant the 
same to the said William de Bosco for life, and then to William la 
Zusche and Matilda his wife and the heirs of their bodies with remainder 

Dom. ii. 417. 5 n.R. ii. 142,150. He had free warren here. 

Dom. ii. 417. lb. 143. 

' Madox, Bar. Angl. p. 62. I. P.M. 5 Edw. I. o. 
OOM Rolls, 9 Hen. III. pt. i. 12, 8. 







I 

55 

t/3 



ASSINGTON. 17 

to the right heirs of Matilda. 1 The other half of the manor was 
held by Roger Corbet of Hadleigh, who had married Joan daughter of 
Arnold and sister of William de Bosco. 2 He had acquired this moiety of 
William de Bosco without licence of the King, for which act he subsequently 
received a pardon. 3 Roger Corbet seems ultimately to have acquired 
the whole, and on his death was succeeded by his son and heir John Corbet, 
on whose death it passed in dower to his widow Agnes, who dying in I353 4 
it passed to Sir Robert Corbet Knt. their son and heir, and on the Origi- 
nalia Rolls will be found an order to accept security from Robert Corbet 
son and heir of John Corbet deceased for relief in respect of this manor 
held of the King in chief as of the Honor of Hatfield Peverell. 5 Sir Robert 
Corbet married Beatrix daur. of Sir Richard de la River and sister and 
co-heir of Sir Thomas de la River. He died in 1405,* and was succeeded by 
his son and heir Sir Robert Corbet Knt. then aged 40. He bore Two 
barrulets and on a canton a lion passant. He died in 1417' when a portion 
of the manor passed to his widow Joan, 8 and ultimately the whole on the 
death of Joan in 1420, to his daughter and heir Sibilla the wife of John 
Grevell who dying in 1426' the manor passed to her uncle Guy Corbet the 
brother of the last-named Sir Robert Corbet. A fine was in 1433 
levied of the manor by John Creswell clerk and Thomas Isaak against Guy 
Corbet and Joan his wife who was daughter of Sir Edmund Thorp the 
elder of Ashwell Thorp. 10 Guy Corbet made his Will in 1433 and died 
the same year, leaving his widow Joan and a son afterwards Sir Robert 
Corbet. The widow Joan who held in dower died in 1439" when Sir Robert 
Corbet succeeded. He married Elizabeth dau. of Dorward of Rocking 
in Essex, and died in 1478," being succeeded by his son and heir Robert 
Corbet. He married Maud daughter of Sir John Fortescue, and married 
also (during the said Maud his first wife's lifetime, forsaking her) Lettice 
daughter of John Shirewood of Coventry and left issue by her Robert and 
Alice, his first wife Maud surviving him, from whom he never was divorced. 
Upon the death of Robert Corbet, his brother Roger Corbet 2nd son of Sir 
Robert Corbet made an entry upon the lands as next and legal heir on 
the ground of the illegitimacy of his brother's children, Lettice the 2nd 
wife having married - - Talboys a servant to Thomas Rotherham, Arch- 
bishop of York and Chancellor of England, Roger sued him in the Spiritual 
Court of Canterbury, and Talboys procuring a prohibition, Roger appealed 
to Rome, and a writ was directed by Rotherham to Roger of Ne exeat regnum; 
upon which Roger was laid up in the counter two years, but being enlarged 
in the last year of King Edw. IV. died shortly afterwards. It appears 
that Maud retired into the nunnery of Helleaston in Bedfordshire and 
there died. The son Robert Corbet does seem ultimately to have held 
the manor,' 3 and to have been succeeded by Richard Corbet who died the 
25 June, 1524'* leaving a widow Jane who held the manor for life in dower, 
and a son and heir Richard Corbet who succeeded. The Davy MSS. state 
that this Richard Corbet sold to William Hunberstone as a trustee probably 
for Robert Gurdon ; while Page and Muskett both state that Sir Myles 

1 Pat. Rolls 24 Edw. 1. 17. " I.P.M. 7 Hen. V. 41, 8 Hen. V. 44. 

* I.Q.D. 6 Edw. II. 9. I.P.M. 4 Hen. VI. 33. 

3 Originalia 6 Edw. II. 16, Pat. Rolls "> Feet of Fines ii Hen. VI. 32. 

6 Edw. II. pt. ii. 10. " I.P.M. 17 Hen. VI. 24. 

I.P.M. 30 Edw. III. 15. " I.P.M. 18 Edw. IV. 19. 

' 0. 30 Edw. III. 4. Inquis. p.m. I and 2 Hen. VIII., D.K.R 

6 I.P.M. 6 Hen. IV. 6. 10, App. ii. p. lai. 

I.P.M. 5 Hen. V. 34. < I.P.M. 16 Hen. VIII. 31, 33. 

c 



18 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Corbet sold to Robert Gurdon son of John Gurdon of Oldham, Essex. 
There are fines in 1555 and 1556, the first by William Humberstone 
against Richard Corbett and others and the second by John 
Gurdon and others against Sir Richard Corbett. 1 There is a 
Chancery action in the time of Elizabeth between Robert Gurdon 
and Sir Richard Corbet and another as to this manor and the Manors 
of Shimplingford and Series.' In 1559 John and Robert Gurdon were 
called upon to shew title to the manor.' Robert Gurdon was High Sheriff 
of Suffolk. He married Rose Sexton 6th daughter of Robert Sexton 
of Lavenham and co-heir of her brother Thomas Sexton and widow of 
William Appleton of Little Waldingfield, and died the 5 April 1578 in 
his 6yd year. 4 He left two sons John and Robert and one dau. Elizabeth 
and was succeeded by his son John Gurdon who was High Sheriff of Suffolk 
in 1584 and married Amicia sole daughter and heir of William Brampton 
of Letton co. Norfolk and died the 20 Sept. 1623.' John Gurdon was 
succeeded by his son Brampton Gurdon, High Sheriff of Suffolk in 1628 
who married ist Elizabeth daughter of Edw. Barret of Belhouse in the 
parish of Alvelev co. Essex and co-heir of her mother who was a daughter 
and co-heir of Sir Thomas Litton Knt. and andly Meriell dau. of Martin 
Sedley of Morley co. Norf. 6 Brampton Gurdon's Will is dated 1647.* 
He had by his wife Elizabeth 6 sons, John, Robert, Brampton, William, 
Edward, William, and 3 daurs. Elizabeth, Amy and Judith. 
Robert married Joyce dau. of James Harvey of Essex and Amy married 
Sir Henry Mildmay of Grace's in Essex, Knt. By his 2nd wife Meriell he 
had four sons : Brampton, Thomas, Edward, Martin, and 3 daurs. Abigail, 
Meriell and Amye. Brampton married Mary dau. of Henry Foisted 
Citizen and Mercer of London. Abigail married Roger Hill of Pounsford 
co. Somerset, and Muriel married Richard Saltonstall son of Sir Richard 
Saltonstall of Yorkshire, Knt. 

Brampton Gurdon was succeeded by his son John Gurdon who 
married Ann daughter of Sir Calthorp Parker of Erwarton, Knt. He 
was M.P. for Suffolk in the Long Parliament. 8 There is a request 
among the State papers for a licence for the Hall by this John Gurdon 
in i&72. 9 He made his will the 25 June 1677 and died in 1679 
at the age of 84, having had 7 sons and 5 daughters, 10 and was succeeded 
by his son Robert Gurdon who married Elizabeth daur. of Lord Lysle ; 
but dying the 24 May 1683 aged 68 years and 4 months, without issue, 
was succeeded by his brother the Rev. Nathaniel Gurdon D.D., Rector of 
Chelmsford, who married Elizabeth daughter of the Rev. Emanuel Arundel 
of Stoke Beven co. Northampton, and dying the n February 1696 in the 
64 year of his age," was buried in Assington Church where there is a 
mural tablet at the east end of the Chancel. He had two sons and four 
daughters and was succeeded by his son and heir John Gurdon M.P. for 

Fine Easter 2 Mary i, Mich. 3 Mary i. P.C.C. 68 Pembroke the 19 Oct. 1647. 

C.P. er. ii. B. Ixx. 14. Proved 16 May 1650. 
' i Eliz. Memoranda Hil. Rec. Rot. 79. D.N.B. xxiii. 353. 

Will. 3 Apl. 1578, P.C.C. 10 Bakon, S.P. 1672 p. 410. 

I.P.M. 21 Eli* .Will. See Muskett "> Will P.C.C. 129 King. Proved the 4 

Manorial Families i. 278. Oct. 1679. 

' Will P.C.C. 99 Swann 6 Dec. 1621. " Will P.C.C. 72 Lort. Proved 20 March 

Proved 10 Oct. 1623. 1698. 

' Blomefield, Norf. 2nd Ed. vol. ii. 479-482, 

x. 232. See Gent. Mag. Supplt. Diet. 

1814, 



ASSINGTON. 19 

Sudbury who married Letitia daughter and co-heir of Sir William Cooke 
of Broom Hall, Norfolk, Bart., and died the 2 Dec. 1758 in his 86 year. 1 
His wife had died the 7 Feb. 1710 in her 37th year. John Gurdon had 
issue ten children Jane, Nathaniel, John, Elizabeth, William, Letitia, Philip, 
Brampton, Parker and Letitia respecting whom a mural monument on the 
north side of the Ch. of Assington briefly records " Their Bodies are buried 
in Peace, but their name liveth for evermore." 

John Gurdon was succeeded by his son and heir Nathaniel Gurdon 
who married Elizabeth daughter of John Sayer of Stowmarket. He 
died in 1767 and was succeeded by his son and heir John Gurdon 
who died unmarried in 1777,* when the manor passed to the Rev. 
Philip Gurdon his first cousin, the son of the Rev. Philip Gurdon 
4th son of John Gurdon who died in 1758. Philip Gurdon married 
Sarah Richardson and died in 1817, when the manor passed to 
his son and heir John Gurdon who died in 1869. He married 
ist Bridget Aurea daughter of William Lambarde of Beechmont, Sevenoaks, 
and 2ndly Anne daughter of Colonel Chas. Powell Leslie of Glaslough co. 
Monogham M.P. and was succeeded by his grandson the eldest son of 
his eldest son John Barrett Gurdon (who d. in 1863) by Sophia Catherine 
dau. of Charles Douglas Halford of West Lodge, East Bergholt. Philip 
Gurdon married Edith 3rd dau. of the Rev. Charles Holland, Rector of Pet- 
worth. By arrangement made in 1897 between the said Philip Gurdon 
and his seventh cousin Sir William Brampton Gurdon K.C.M.G., C.B., M.P., 
J.P. of Assington Hall younger son of Brampton Gurdon M.P. of Letton 
Norf. by the Hon. Henrietta Susannah dau. of Nicholas late Lord Colborne, 
the manor and the Assington estates of the Gurdons were acquired by the 
said Sir William Brampton Gurdon who is the present lord. In 1888 he 
married Lady Eveline Camilla 2nd dau. of the 5th Earl of Portsmouth. 

Court Rolls of the Manor 31 Hen. VI. will be found in the Record 
Office. 1 

LEVENYA STRATTONS MANOR. 

Another manor of Assington known as Levenya Strattons was held 
by Godfrey de Bellomonte 4 who died without issue in 1293 and was 
succeeded by his brother Sir John de Bellomonte and he by his son Richard 
de Bellomonte. In 1343 William de Criketot was lord and a fine was 
levied in 1413 by William Loveney and Margaret his wife against Thomas 
Shopage, Thomas Maydeston of Isleworth, John Parleman clerk, Thomas 
Warner of Trimley and John Bacheler of Heston. 5 The manor subse- 
quently passed to the Waldegraves. 6 Sir Richard Waldegrave Knt. died 
seised the 2 May 1434, and was succeeded by his son and heir Sir William, 
and he, by his son and heir Sir Richard Waldegrave who dying without 
issue in 1439 the manor passed to his brother Sir Thomas who died 
in 1500 and was succeeded by his son and heir Sir William Waldegrave 
who dying the 30 January 1527 the manor passed to his son and heir George 
Waldegrave who died the following year. Hugh Waldegrave seems to 
have died seised the 25 March 1543, and to have been succeeded by his 
son and heir Edward Waldegrave. 7 In 1546 this manor belonged to 

1 Will P.C.C. 55 Arran 21 Feb. 1752. * Feet of Fines i Hen. VI. 

Proved 1759. 6 As to the full descendants of the Walde- 

' Will 15 Sept. 1777, 465 Collier P.C.C. graves and their marriages, see 

3 Portfolio 203, 2. Smallbridge Manor, Bures, in this 

4 See further Groton Manor in this Hundred. 

Hundred. ' I.P.M., 35 Hen. VIII. 174. 



ao THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Robert Gurdon by virtue of a fine levied this year by him against Edward 
Weldon. 1 Two years later the manor passed from the said Robert Gurdon 
to Richard Corbett. 1 In 1552 a fine of the manor was levied by Robert 
Spencer against Sir Richard Corbett,' and in 1555 by John Gurdon against 
Robert Gurdon and others, 4 after which the manor devolved as shewn 
in the descent of Assington Manor. 

SHIMPLINGFORD. 

A third manor in Assington was known as the Manor of Shimplingford, 
no doubt so called after its holder in the time of Edw. III. though of course 
as a separate manor it no doubt existed from the time of Edw. I. at least. 
Ralph Shimplingford died seised in 1376 when the manor passed to his 
daughter Margery who died in 1416 when it passed to Margery's heir John 
son of John Holland. Later this manor passed to the Wiseman family 
and in 1518 a fine was levied of it by Richard Bp. of Norwich against Sir 
John Wiseman and others. 3 It subsequently became vested in the Corbets, 
and Sir Richard Corbet died seised of it the 25 June 1524 when it passed 
to Richard Corbet his son and heir and from him to Robert Gurdon who 
died in 1579, after which the devolution is the same as that already shewn 
of the main manor of Assington. 

AVELEY OR ALVINGLEY MANOR. 

This manor in Assington was held in Edward the Confessor's day by 
Brungar a freeman under Robert by commendation. It consisted of a 
carucate of land with soc. There was one villein and there were 10 bor- 
dars, 2 ploughteams in demesne and half a ploughteam belonging to the 
men, wood for 6 hogs and 4 acres of meadow, i mill, i horse at the Hall, 
and at the time of the Norman Survey 14 beasts, 49 hogs and 87 sheep. 
The value had increased from 20 shillings to 30. The Domesday tenant 
in chief was Suane of Essex the son of Robert son of Wimare. This Robert 
had commendation only. The Abbot of Bury had soc and sac in King 
Edward's time and the Domesday survey mentions a case of horses being 
stolen and found in the house of this Brungar and that the Abbot who had 
the soc and sac and Robert the father of Suane who had commendation 
over Brungar came to the plea respecting the theft. The Record quaintly 
adds as the result of the trial, " They went away on terms of friendship 
without a verdict so far as the Hundred could see." 6 Grants of the manor 
will be found, one without date, amongst the Additional Charters, and one 
dated 1298, amongst the Harleian Charters in the British Museum. 7 

Sir Godfrey de Bellomonte seems to have been lord in the time of 
Edw. I. and died in 1293. The manor is mentioned and an extent given 
in the Inquis. p.m. of Cecilia de Ferariis sometime wife of Godfrey de 
Bellomonte.* Sir John de Bellomonte succeeded his brother Sir Godfrey 
as lord and the Davy MSS. make a Robert Clopton the next lord, but in 
what right is not stated. The next lord Davy mentions is Thomas la 
Zouch who died in 1405 and as a matter of fact no record is found of any 
intermediate lord 9 except that the manor is the subject of a fine in 1306 
between William Inge and William Gernon and Isabella his wife. 10 Thomas 

Fine Easter 38 Hen. VIII. Dom. ii. 4016. 

Fine Easter 2 Edw. VI. Add. Ch. 27334, Harl. 45 I. 32, 33. 

Fine Easter 6 Edw. VI. I. P.M. 21 Edw. I. 49. 

Fine Easter 2 Maryi. I.P.M. 6 Hen. IV. 17. 

Fine Easter 10 Hen. VIII. " Feet of Fines 34 Edw. I. 2. 



ASSINGTON. 21 

la Zouch was succeeded by his son and heir William, and in 1462 we meet 
with a fine of the manor levied by Robert Gardenere and Margaret Dunham 
against John Chaworth and Margaret his wife. 1 Elizabeth wife of Sir 
William Chaworth Knt. was lady of the manor in the time of Hen. VII. 
and died in 1503* when she was succeeded by her son and heir Sir John 
Dunham who died the 9 May I524, 3 and was succeeded by his son and heir 
Sir John Dunham Knt. The manor was then valued at 7 marks p. a. and was 
held of the Abbot of Bury. In 1550 we meet with a fine levied of the manor 
by Sir Richard Corbett against Thomas Grantham and others 4 ; in 1555 one 
levied by John Wynterflood against Sir Richard Corbett 5 and others, and in 
1570 a third levied by John Wynterflod against Sir Edmund Brudenell. 6 In 
the time of Elizabeth we meet with a Chancery suit relating to this manor 
between the said Sir Edmund Brudenell and John Winterfloyde. 7 This 
John Winterfloyde or Winterflood in 1593 devised to the poor of the parish 
four bushels of meslin payable out of the Manor of Aveley Hall to be 
distributed in bread at Christmas. 



Feet of Fines 2 Edw. IV. 3. * Fine Mich. 2 Mary i< 

I.P.M. 18 Hen. VII, 53. " ' Fine Mich, is Eliz. 

I.P.M. 17 Hen. VIII. 159. ? C.P. ser. ii. B. xxix. I, 
Fine Mich. 4 Edw. VI. 



THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 




BOXFORD MANOR. 

OT much is known respecting this manor. Godfrey de 
Bellomonte had free warren here in 1275,' but it is uncer- 
tain if he had a manor. The Abbot of St. Edmunds 
presented to the living in 1316 and not unlikely had the 
manorial rights. The manor is mentioned in the 
Inquisition post mortem of Sir Richard Corbet who died 
the 25 June 1524, and it then passed to Richard Corbet his 
son and heir.* We find, however, that shortly afterwards, namely, in 
1553, it was granted by the Crown to William Lord Howard. In 1764 
it was in the King. 

PEYTON HALL. 

Peyton Hall belonged at the time of the Norman Survey to William Malet 
and passed to his younger brother Walter lord of Sibton. He was succeeded 
by Reginald Fitz Walter his 2nd son, who was living in 1135 and appears 




I m -' 



to have assumed the name of Peyton. He held both Peyton Hall in Box- 
ford and Peyton Hall in Ramsholt of Hugh de Bigod and was server 
to Hugh Bigod and Roger Bigod Earl of Suffolk. William de Peyton his 
eldest son held lands in Boxford, and King Stephen granted to John de 
Peyton brother of this William all his lands in Peyton to hold as his ancestors 
before held the same. 

John de Peyton had 4 sons John the elder, Robert, Peter and John 
the younger. Robert was Lord Justice of Ireland in the time of Hen. III. 
and being Lord of Ufford assumed his surname from that place. His son 
Robert de Ufford was created Earl of Suffolk in 1336, and installed a Knight 
of the Garter. One of the brothers of the Earl was the unfortunate John 
Ufford of whom Weever tells us he was brought up at Cambridge and 
made doctor of law, " promoted first to the deanery of Lincoln, then to the 
Chancellorship of England and lastly to the Archbishopric of Canterbury 
which he never enjoyed, being cut off by the plague (which consumed nine 
parts of the men in England) before he received either his pall or consecra- 



Chart. Rolls 8 Edw. 1. 5, 10 Edw. 1. 33. 



I.P.M. 16 Hen. VIII. 31. 



BOXFORD. 23 

tion June 7, 1348 and lieth obscurely buried in that Cathedral Church." 1 
The 3rd son Peter de Peyton succeeded to the lordship of Peyton Hall in 
the time of King John and married Helena by whom he had issue Robert 
de Peyton father of Sir John de Peyton Knt. whose male issue seems to have 
failed in the time of Edw. III. The 4th son John the younger sold to John 
his eldest brother all the lands which he had in Boxford of the fee of the 
Abbey of St. Edmund and Stoke Nayland which their father John or 
their uncle William formerly possessed. Sir John the eldest son succeeded 
and was lord of Peyton Hall and also possessed lands in Stoke Nayland. 
He married Matilda de Bueriis (Buers) sister and heir of Symond de Notelle 
and had three sons and one daughter Agnes mentioned in the Will of her 
brother. The sons were Sir John de Peyton Knt., William and James. 
Sir John succeeded to the lordship. He flourished in the time of 
Hen. III. and married after having two wives successively of the name of 
Agnes, dementia lady of Weyland to whom and to himself a grant of land 
was made in 1242. He had a grant of free warren here in 1298 2 and three 
years later served in Parliament as one of the Knights of the Shire for Suffolk. 
This John de Peyton is probably the man who with Agnes his wife levied 
a fine of Peyton Manor in 1317 against Henry de Wellington and Henry 
de Norwich parson of Colneye. 3 He was buried at Stoke Nayland in 1318. 
His Will is dated in Sept. of this year, and it was proved the 26 Jan. 1318. 
On his death he was succeeded by his eldest son Sir Robert Peyton. A 
release &c. of the manor in 1335 and 1346 will be found amongst the Harl. 
Charters. 4 Sir Robert de Peyton made his will in 1348 and died in 1351 , when he 
was buried near his father. He had two wives, first Christiana de Apleton widow 
of William de Apleton who died in 1325 leaving several children who all died 
without issue and was buried at Stoke Nayland with great pomp. Her 
funeral expenses are thus set down 50 quarters of wheat \l. ios., one 
hogshead of wine 53/. 45. 4^., muttons 55. 8 barrow-hogs 245. 10 calves, &c. 
His second wife was Joan de Marney of the Marneys of Layer Marney in 
Essex by whom he had issue Sir John de Peyton and William, which latter lies 
buried at Wicken in Cambridge. Sir Robert was succeeded by his son and 
heir Sir John de Peyton who married Margaret daughter and co-heir of 
Sir John Gernon Knt. of Lees in Essex, descended from the Barons of 
Tregoze and Colvile, in whose right he had the Manor of Wicken and in 
1393 jointly with her held part of the Manor of Esthorpe by the service 
of one knight's fee ; but it does not appear that he acquired any property 
in Boxford by virtue of this marriage, as stated by Gipps, quoting from 
Camden, and by Kirby, probably copying from one or the other. Sir John 
de Peyton died in 1394 and was succeeded by his son and heir John de 
Peyton who married Joan daughter and heir of Sir Hamon de Sutton of 
Wixoe Knt. by which marriage this place came to the Peytons. He 
had issue by his wife (afterwards married to Sir Roger Drury Knt.), 
Margery wife of Thomas Daubeny of Sharrington co. Norfolk and three 
sons John, Thomas and Robert. John Peyton the eldest was a minor 
at the death of his father and 15 years old in 1407, when an agreement 
was made between Margaret his grandmother and Joan his mother with 
John Burgoyne of Drayton in Cambridgeshire, for his marriage with Grace 
daughter of John Burgoyne ; which marriage subsequently was solemnized. 
The issue of the marriage were 2 sons John and Thomas and a daughter 
Anne who married Jeffry Lochton. Their father died the 6 Oct. 

1 Weever Funeral Monuments p. 222. 3 Feet of Fines n Edw. II. 18. 

' Chart. Rolls 26 Edw. I. 5. Harl. 54 H. 21, 22. 



24 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

1416' and was succeeded by his son John Peyton aged 3$ years who died in 
his minority the 29 Oct. 1432 whereupon Thomas Peyton his brother, then 
aged 17, succeeded. He was High Sheriff of the counties of Cambridge 
and Huntingdon in 1443 and 1453. In 1484 by Deed dated the 
ao May Thomas Peyton who held the manor, then said to be worth 
I4/., and held of the Abbot of Bury by Will directed feoffees to 
settle the manor. He died the 30 July the same year and was 
buried at Isleham in Cambridgeshire, where there is an effigy of him in 
brass. He married ist Margaret daughter and co-heir of Sir John Bernard 
of Isleham Knt. by whom Isleham came to the Peyton family, and had 
issue by her, Thomas, Margaret and Grace. His second wife was Margaret 
daughter and co-heir of Sir Hugh Francis of Giffords in Wickhambrook 
and widow of Thomas Garneys of Kenton, and by her he had 2 sons 
Christopher Peyton High Sheriff of the Counties of Cambridge and Hunting- 
don 12 Hen. VI I. 1 and Francis. Thomas the eldest son died before his 
father and by his wife Joan Calthorp had issue, Thomas Peyton who 
succeeded but died without issue the ist August 1490,' Robert, John and 
Edward with six daughters. Sir Robert Peyton the brother of the last 
Thomas Peyton succeeded. He was sheriff of the County of Huntingdon 
in 1498 and died the 27 March 1518,* being buried in Isleham Church, 
where there is an altar tomb of freestone with a slab of speckled marble 
from the middle of which has been torn a plain cross. Under an arch in 
the wall at the feet are the matrices of a man and woman, three boys and 
three girls with a label from the mouth of the first of each to a crucifix and 
under them this on a brass plate : 

Of yo' charite p'y for the souls of S' Ro'bt 

Peyton, knyght, which de'pted to 
God the xviii day of m'che, y* yere of o' lord M" 
Dxviij. and for the soule of Dame elizabeth 
Peyton his wyfe, whiche dep'tid to god y yer of o' 
lord MD . . . 

The date has never been filled up, the plate remaining smooth. Over 
this a fine perk ; and under the East window a rich fascia of vine leaves 
and grapes, and oak foliage above over the space formerly occupied by 
the altar. He left issue by his wife Elizabeth daughter of Sir Robert Clere of 
Ormsby co. Norfolk, three sons, Sir Robert Peyton to whom the manor 
ultimately passed, John who married Dorothy daughter of Sir Robert Tyndall 
of Hockwould co. Norfolk Knt. from whom descend the Peytons of 
Doddington and Edward who died without issue and also 2 daughters, 

I.P.M., 4 Hen. V. 42. I.P.M., 10 Hen. VIII. i, in which the 

1 Inquis. 6 Hen. VII. 740, 7 Hen. VII. 62. manor is stated to be held of 

the Abbot of Bury and to be 
worth 24 per annum. 

There is an inscription to this Christopher on the wooden cornice of the roof of the 
Church of Isleham as follows : 

Pray for the good prosperity of 

Crystofer Peyton and Elizabeth hys 

wyf, and for the sowle of Thomas 

Peyton Squyer and Margarett hys wyf 

fader and moder of the seyd crystofer 

peyton, and for the sowles of all the 

awncestre of the sayd crystofer peyton qwich 

did make thys rofe in the yere of owr 

lord MCCCCLXXXXV. beynge the i 

Yere of kyng henry the VII. 



BOXFORD. 25 

Margaret and Elizabeth . Elizabeth the widow of Sir Robert Peyton succeeded 
and had the manor in jointure until her death, also in 1518, when it passed to 
her son Sir Robert Peyton who was High Sheriff of the two counties already 
named in 1525 and 1535. He married Frances daughter and heir of Francis 
Haseldyne of Little Chesterford co. Essex and of Steeple-Marden in Cam- 
bridgeshire, in whose right he became possessed of these places. She 
founded the Hospital at Isleham and was buried in the Church of that place 
in 1580. They had 6 sons, Robert, William, Richard, Christopher, 
Edward and John and 2 daughters Katharine and Elizabeth. Richard the 
3rd son lived at Chesterford and married Mary daur. of Lawrence Hyde of 
Hyde Hall Herts., and died in 1574 aged 40. There is a large slab in Isle- 
ham Church bearing the brass figure of a man in a coat and furred gown 
and hose ; his right hand on his breast, his left hanging down holding a 
book, his lady wears a coif and hood, standing cape, pinkt sleeves, and 
short ruffles, her apron has strings and is laced. Over her, quarterly 

I Peyton. 2 Three piles wavy. Gernon. 3 A chevron, in chief three 
estoiles. 4 A bear rampant muzzled. Bernard. 5 A cross fleury. 
6 Three battle axes erect. 7 A lion rampant and a label of three. 
8 A lion rampant. In the centre of all a mullet. These quarter- 
ings also impale, a saltire engrailed and chief Erm. Hyde, 
which last coat is single in a lozenge. Below is the first coat of 
eight quarters single, and impaling Hyde ; and between them 
this inscription : 

Here under lyeth a woorthy squyer that Rycharde Payton kyght 

An honest Gentleman, and thyrde sonne to Robert Payton knyght, 

In Greys Inne student of the lawe, wheare he a Reader was. 

He feared God, and loved his woorde, in truth his lyfe did passe 

In practysing of justice lore was all his whole delyght. 

He never wronged ani one to whom he myght do ryght. 

Whome he esteemed an honest freend, whom he might stand in stede, 

He never left to do hym good with woorde, with purse, and deede. 

For tenne yeares space he married was unto a faythfull wyfe, 

By parent named Marye Hyde, they lived devoyde of stryfe. 

The earth hym bare twyse twentie yeares, and virtuously he lyved 

A godly lyfe he dyd embrace, and vertuosly he dyed. 

Below in a lozenge, 




and on a plate, 

The thirteenth daye of Apryll yeares seventy and foure 
A thousand fyve hundred being put to yt more. 

Sir Robert Peyton died the I August 1550, and was buried in Isleham 
Church where there is a plate bearing this inscription : 

Pray for the soule of Syr Robert Peyton knyght the 
sonne of Syr Robert Peyton, knight, whych married 
Fraunceys the daughter and heyre of Fraunceys Has- 
sylden, Esquire, decessyd, which syr Robert decessyd 
the first day of August A" d'ni MDL. whose soule god p'dn. 



26 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

He was succeeded by his eldest son Sir Robert Peyton knight of the shire 
for Cambridge in 1557 and High Sheriff of the Counties of Cambridge and 
Huntingdon in 1553 and 1567. He was knighted by James I. at Royston 
Nov. 1608.' A fine of the manor was levied against him and his wife 
by Richard Peyton in 1562* ; and another fine was in 1582 levied against 
him and others by Sir John Cotton and others.' He married Lady Elizabeth 
Rich daughter of Richard, Baron Rich of Lees, Lord High Chancellor of 
England, by whom he had issue 3 sons Robert who died unmarried 
in his father's lifetime, Sir John Peyton and Richard Peyton 
who died without issue, and 3 daughters Mary, Frances and Winifred. 
On his death he was succeeded by his eldest son Sir John Peyton 
who was lord of Peyton Hall, Wicken and Wixho and Sheriff of the 
Counties of Cambridge and Huntingdon in 1593, Knight of the Shire of the 
last named county and was created a Baronet in 1611. By his wife Alice 
daughter of Sir Edward Osborn, Lord Mayor of London in 1583 
and progenitor of the Duke of Leeds, he had 6 sons and 6 daughters, 
one of which Alice was married to Sir John son and heir of Sir John Peyton 
of Doddington Knt. He was succeeded by his eldest son Sir Edward Peyton 
who was educated first at Bury St. Edmunds School and afterwards at 
Cambridge. He was knighted the 4 Feb. 1610 and served in Parliament for 
the County of Cambridge, and was Custos Rotulorum thereof, of which office 
he was deprived by the Duke of Buckingham, and subsequently taking part 
with the Presbyterians in the time of the great rebellion he impoverished 
himself and his family and sold Isleham and other estates. He had a 
numerous family by his three wives and dying in 1557, was succeeded by 
his eldest son by his first wife Matilda daughter of Robert Livesay of 
Tooting in Surrey, Sir John Peyton Bart. Sir John Peyton married first 
a daughter of Sir Edward Bellingham by whom he left no issue and 2ndly 
a daughter of - - Hobart by whom he had 3 sons, Edward who died young, 
Sir John Peyton his successor and Thomas a Captain in the Guards who 
died a bachelor. He also had one daughter. He died in 1666 and was 
buried in St. Giles's in the Fields, London, being succeeded by his only 
surviving son Sir John Peyton Bart. This Sir John was a soldier and 
occupied several military offices, serving also at sea in the Dutch war. He 
was attainted by Act of Parliament in the time of James II., but restored by 
William III. He was made governor of Ross Castle in Kerry. This family is 
remarkable for the number of wives each had the privilege of marrying, but in 
this instance, though Sir John had three wives successively he died the 23 
March 1721 without issue. Page makes out that the manor passed after 
a long line of ancestry to Sir Algernon Peyton Bart., second son of Algernon 
Peyton, D.D., rector of Doddington in Cambridgeshire so created in 1666-7 
who succeeded to the estates and representation of his family on the decease 
without issue in 1660 (he probably means 1666) of his elder brother Sir John 
Peyton Bart, of Doddington. He adds that Sir Algernon Peyton appears 
to have resided at Peyton Hall and his only son and heir Sir Sewster Peyton 
succeeded to his title and estates. He married Anne second daughter of 
George Dashwood of London. Algerina his sister married George Dash- 
wood a Colonel in the Army, brother to the wife of Sir Sewster Peyton, 
and had a son George Dashwood who married his cousin Margaret daughter 
of Sir Sewster Peyton whose son Henry Dashwood upon the decease of 
his uncle Sir Thomas Peyton Bart, in 1771 (he probably means 1772) 

? d. 1590. > Fine, Easter 24 Eliz. 

Fine Mich. 4 Eliz. 



BOXFORD. 



27 



without issue, inherited the property and assumed in consequence the 
surname and arms of Peyton. Finally, Page says the Peyton Hall Estate 
probably passed to George Dashwood upon his marriage with Algerina 
daughter of Sir Algernon Peyton Bart, and their son George Dashwood 
is the person whom Mr. Kirby says held this property in 1764 and had a 
residence in or near Sudbury called Wood Hall. Much of this account 
of Page is guesswork. He knew that George Dashwood took in some 
way and this is his mode of accounting for the fact ; but Davy has nothing 
about the connection of the Peytons of Doddington with this manor, 
further than that the Dash woods represented them. He makes Sir John 
Peyton who died without issue in 1721 to have been lord and then merely 
says it passed to George Dashwood. It is, however, possible that when 
Sir Edward practically ruined the family and sold Isleham in the time of 
Charles I. he may have disposed of this manor to the Doddington branch 
of the family, his sister Alice having married the representative of this branch, 
Sir John Peyton. George Dashwood the son of George Dashwood by 
Algerina his wife 2nd daughter of Sir Algernon Peyton Bart, of Doddington, 
was unquestionably lord of this manor and died in March 1762. He 
married Margaret 2nd daughter of Sir Sewster Peyton and had 2 sons 
Henry and James and 2 daughters Margaret and Penelope. He was 
succeeded by his eldest son Henry who in compliance with the will of his 
uncle Sir Thomas Peyton Bart., obtained an Act of Parliament enabling 
him to take the name of Peyton and was created a Baronet in 1776. 
In 1771 he married Frances elder daughter of Sir John Rous of 
Herham Hall Bart, and sister of John ist Earl of Stradbroke. He was 
member of Parliament for the County of Cambridge in 1782 and was 
re-elected in 1784. He left 2 sons Sir Henry and Algernon and 4 daughters 
Frances, Louisa, Charlotte and Harriet. Sir Henry Peyton died in 1789 
and was succeeded by his eldest son Sir Henry Peyton who married Hariet 
widow of James Bradshaw and daughter of Thomas Fitzhugh by whom 
he had issue Henry Peyton 2nd Bart, who was M.P. for the County of 
Cambridge in 1802. He died in 1854 and was succeeded by his only son 
Sir Henry Peyton 1 who married Georgiana Codrington of Dodinton co. 
Gloucester and had issue, Henry who died a minor in his father's lifetime 
and Sir Algernon William. Sir Henry Peyton died the 18 Feb. 1866 and 
was succeeded by his only surviving son Sir Algernon William Peyton 
4th Baronet. He married Sarah youngest daughter of Daniel Hoik Webb 
of Wykham Park and on his death was succeeded by his son Sir Thomas 
Peyton 5th Baronet. He married Lucy daughter of William Watts and 
died in 1888, when the manor passed to his son Sir Algernon Francis 
Peyton 6th Baronet. The manor is now vested in Sir Joshua Thellusson 
Rowley Bart, of Tendring Hall. 

Extract from Court Rolls of the Manor (one of that in Ramsholt) 



Peyton Hall, with the farm and 318 acres, 
was offered for sale by public auction in 
London at the Auction Mart opposite 
the Bank of England the i8th July, 
1859. In the Particulars Peyton Hall is 
described as raised on a natural knoll, 
sheltered and ornamented with timber 
and shrubberies and it is further stated 
that its gardens, grounds and approach 
give it a character never found in mere 
farm houses or modern erections. The 



house is stated to have been then built 
many generations ago and to have much 
of the style of the Elizabethan period, 
the front presenting somewhat of a 
uniform elevation, the centre being a 
little set back with a verandah, and the 
roofs of the wings having pointed gables. 
The Manor of Peyton Hall which 
belonged to the Vendors at the time 
was not offered for sale. 



2 8 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

13 Rich. II. will be found amongst the Bodleian Suff. Charities [1368]; 
and two deeds of Sir Robert Crane found amongst deeds relating to this 
manor are in the Harlcian Collection.' 

Arms of Peyton : Sa., a cross, engrailled, or. 

CODDENHAM HALL MANOR. 

This place appears as Kodenham in Domesday but not then seemingly 
held as a manor. Walter de Saint Valery's predecessor in title had held 
by commendation only 2 freemen, but at the time of the Domesday Survey 
Roger de Rheims held them, though by what title the Hundred did not 
know, nor could anyone say on Roger's behalf how he had acquired title, 
and consequently the holding is classed as an encroachment upon the 
King. The freemen had only 20 acres of land valued at 10 shillings in 
former days, but at that time said to be worth nothing. 1 In the time of 
Hen. I. Thomas de Codeham held lands here, and in 1188 they passed to 
his son and heir Robert de Codeham who had also a moiety of the advowson. 
He was succeeded by his son and heir Thomas de Codeham. The manor 
appears in 1316 to nave been vested in Thomas Fitz Eustace and Amicia 
his wife, for by a fine levied this year we learn that they had settled this 
manor and the Manor of Halstead upon Robert the son of the said Thomas. 3 
However, later, in 1339 Amicia, described as late wife of Sir Thomas Fitz- 
Eustace, released to Sir Thomas de Grey her father and Alicia her mother 
her life interest in the manor. The deed is amongst the Harleian Charters 
in the British Museum, and is dated at Cavendish " die Jovis in Virg. 
S. Laur. Mart. 13 Edw. III. [1339].* In 1361 Sir Thomas de Mont- 
chensy by a deed dated 35 Edw. III. [1361] released to John de Multone 
parson of Stanstead co. Kent, John de Bradefeld parson of Hausted co. 
Kent, John deTonevolle clerks and others this manor which he claimed by 
descent in fee simple from William de Montchensy Knt. his grandfather, 5 
and 3 years later Sir William de Clopton and others alienated to Sir Thomas 
de Fitton and others all right in the manor. In 1403 [the 29 Sept. 5 Hen. 
IV.] John de Boys, Clement Spycer and John Esthorpe conveyed to John 
Allyn and Alice his wife. 6 The daughter of John Aleyn married Robert 
Clopton and the manor passed to him. He by Deed the 18 Oct. 17 Hen. VI. 
[1438] conveyed the manor to Geoffrey Clopton, John Clopton his son 
and heir, William Bullok and Thos. Odyham/ We next find John Clopton 
son and heir of Geoffrey, Wm. Bullok and Thos. Odyham as lords, but 
they were probably trustees. It is possible that the fine levied in 1465 
of " Codnamhall Manor " by John Porter, Thomas Pynk, John Lovell 
clerk, John Lamborne and Wm. Phelip pet. against Henry Chicheley and 
Alice his wife and Wm. Grygge and Hugh Vaugham deforciants 8 may have 
reference to this manor. However this may be it is clear that in 1504 the 
manor had become vested in Wm. Forth of Hadleigh for he died seised of 
it on the 6th of August this year. 9 He was succeeded by his son and 
heir Robert Forth who died the 27 July 1540, lo and was succeeded by his 
son and heir William Forth. The next lord was William Risbie of Lavenham 
who died seised the 23 Sept. 1552," and was succeeded by Robert Risbie his 



Harl. 639. 

Dom. ii. 449, 4496. 

Feet of Fine* 10 Edw. II. 19. 

Harl. Ch. 50 A. 35- 

Cott. MSS. xxvii. 131. 

Harl. 47 A. 29. 



' Harl. 48 D. 18. 

Feet of Fines 5 Edw. IV. 10. 

I.P.M., 20 Hen. VII. 2. 



it 



I.P.M., 32 Hen. VIII. 4. 
I.P.M., 6 Edw. VI. 65. 



BOXFORD. 



29 



son and heir. In 1563 a fine of the manor was levied by Edward Clere 
against George Risbie, 1 and in 1571 by Robert Peyton against William 
Humberstone. a The manor passed to the Bronds or Brands of Edwardston 
and Wm. Jos. Brand was lord in 1655. It afterwards passed to the Bennetts 
and Thomas Bennet was lord in 1764. He was succeeded by his two 
daughters and co-heirs Elizabeth and Anne ; the former died in 1768 and the 
latter in 1786, both unmarried, and in 1847 the manor belonged to William 
Green who resided there. In 1855 William Green's executors held, but 
before 1885 the manor had passed to and was held by George Leech, a 
farmer here and at Little Waldringfield ; and it has since passed to, 
and is now vested in Charles J. Grimwade of Hadleigh. 

Coddenham Hall is now converted into a farm house. 

BOWESHOWSE al. BORNHOUSE MANOR. 

There were 4 other small manors in Boxford of which very little is 
known. Boweshouse al. Bornhouse seems to have been held in 1316 by 
the Abbot of St. Edmunds, but in 1349 it was leased by Michael de Bures 
to the Friars of Clare. In 1553 William Lord Howard had licence to alien 
it to Robert Richers who had a licence to alien to Sir John Huddlestone. 
From Sir John Huddlestone the manor passed to his son and heir William 
Huddlestone, who died in 1563 and was succeeded by his brother and heir 
Edmund Huddlestone 3 who had licence to alien a third part of the manor. 
In 1568 Alice Lovell sister of Edmund Huddlestone and wife of Sir Thomas 
Lovell was lady, and in 1570 Sir Thomas Lovell and others levied a fine of 
the manor against Thomas Duke of Norfolk. 4 The following year a fine 
was levied against the said Thomas Lovell and others by Thomas Gale.' 
This manor subsequently passed to the Waldegraves of Smallbridge in 
Bures and Sir William Waldegrave held the manor in 1585. Two years 
later he and his son and heir apparent William Waldegrave sold the manor 
for 900 to John Bronde of Boxford clothier and his son Benjamin Bronde. 
The Conveyance is dated the 28 April 30 Eliz. and was made to John Bronde 
and Benjamin as joint tenants in fee simple. A fine was in 1591 levied 
of the manor by the said John Brond against William Waldegrave. 6 
By Indenture dated the 22 Jan. 1608 John Brond and Benjamin then 
described as of Edwardston conveyed the manor to Matthew Smyth and 
Henry Sokes as trustees to the use of John Brond for life with remainder 
in fee to James Brond another son of the above John Brond. This Settle- 
ment does not appear to have had any operation, for we find that by a deed 
dated the 20th March 1627 Benjamin Brond, no doubt as the survivor 
under the joint tenancy created by the Conveyance from the Waldegraves 
30 Eliz., sold the manor for 1150 to Joan Cutler of Polstead widow. This 
Joan Cutler was a connection of the Bronds and by an Indenture dated the 
21 May 16 Charles I. [1640] she made a Settlement on her grandchildren 
the Bronds, settling the manor to the use of herself for life with remainder 
to the use of her grandson William Brond in tail with remainder to the 
use of John Brond in tail with remainder to the use of Anne Brond 
and Elizabeth Beresse in fee simple. Mrs. Cutler by an Indenture dated 
the 27 May 1648 conveyed her life interest in the manor under the Settle- 
ment to her grandson William Brond. For many years prior to this date 

1 Fine Easter 5 Eliz. * Fine Hil. 12 Eliz. ; Easter 13 Elia. 

* Fine Hil. 13 Eliz. ' Fine Mich. 13 Eliz. 

Fine 5 July 10 Elia. 46. Fine Hil. 33 Eliz. 



30 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

and at this time the lands of the manor which extended into Polstead were 
in the occupation of Martin Cobbould. In the middle of the i8th century, 
Jacob Brond or Brand was lord. He died in 1755 and was succeeded by 
his son and heir William Beall Brand who died in 1799 and was succeeded 
by his widow Ann M. H. Brand who died in 1814 being succeeded by 
Thomas William Cooke grand-nephew of Wm. B. Brand who died in 1825 
and was succeeded by his widow who was later married to Charles Tyrell. 

CALTHORPE HALL MANOR. 

The second of these small manors was known as Calthorpe Hall and 
was held by Thomas Peyton who died seised in 1491 and was succeeded 
by his brother and heir Robert Peyton who died the 27 March 1518 when 
it passed to his son and heir Robert Peyton. 1 

BADLEY'S OR BADLEY HALL MANOR. 

The third of these manors was Badley's and it is mentioned in an 
Inquis. in 1492* as held of Peyton Hall Manor and to be worth 4^. It is 
included in the Inquis. p.m. of Sir Robert Peyton who died the 27 March 
1518 and passed to his son and heir Robert then aged 20 years and up- 
wards' and is also the subject of a fine levied in 1556 by John Ely junior 
and others against the last-mentioned Robert Peyton and others. 4 

GEORGES MANOR. 

The first mention we find of this manor is in the Inquis. p.m. of John 
Straunge in 1468,' when the manor is stated to be held as of the Duchy 
of Lancaster. We next find it mentioned in an Inquis. in 1491* as a manor 
and a tenement called ' Callys ' with 30 acres of land and 8 of meadow 
worth 405. held of the Abbot of Bury and as having been settled by Thomas 
Peyton by Deed i Rich. III. and by his Will. The inquisition finds that 
Thomas Peyton died seised the i Aug. 5 Hen. VII. and that Robert Peyton 
aged 22, his brother, was his heir. In the same inquisition the Manor of 
Sayham Hall worth 5/. is mentioned as held of this Manor of Georges in 
Boxford and under a like title. 



I.P.M., 10 Hen. VIII. i. * Fine Mich. 4 Mary. 

Hen. VII. 740. * I.P.M., 7 Edw. IV. 34. 

|J>.M., 10 Hen. VIII. i. 6 Hen. VII. 740. 



BOXSTEAD. 



BOXSTEAD. 




MANOR here is merely by inference mentioned in Domesday. 
It was in fact all the land in Boxstead which was included 
in the possession of Roger de Poictou and had been in four 
different holdings. 

In the Confessor's time Boxtead had been held by Ulric 
King Edward's thane as 2 carucates of land. There were 
2 villeins, u bordars, 4 slaves, 3 ploughteams in demesne and 
half a one belonging to the men, 15 acres of meadow, wood for 5 hogs, 3 horses, 
5 beasts, 24 hogs and 30 sheep. By the time of the Great Survey one 
villein and one slave had gone, there was one ploughteam less in demesne, 
the beasts were reduced by i and the hogs by 9, but the sheep had 
increased to 71. As to the horses it seems that these had disappeared. 
The great record says " When Ralph left there were two " one had there- 
fore then gone " and now none." 

There were also in Boxtead 5 freemen under Wisgar by commendation 
and soc, with 2 carucates of land and they could sell, but the King gave 
them to Norman, son of Tancred. There was also a freeman under com- 
mendation to the said Ulric with 45 acres, of which 30 were in the soc of 
St. Etheldreda and 15 in the soc of Norman the predecessor in title of 
Ralph de Limesey in Cavendish ; and under them were 3 bordars. Among 
them they formerly had 4 ploughteams, but at the time of the Survey 
2 only. In the same manor was half a carucate of land under the Abbot 
of St. Edmund which the tenants could not sell without licence of the 
Abbot but the King gave it to Norman son of Tancred. On this land 
was I slave and formerly there had been i ploughteam. The value of 
the manor in Saxon times was 8 pounds later 7 and at the time of the 
Survey 100 shillings, and the freemen were set to farm at 52 shillings. 
The value of the manor and the freemen taken together was put at 6 pounds. 
It was a league long and five quarantenes broad and paid in a gelt yd. 1 




BOXSTEAD HALL. 

BOXSTEAD HALL MANOR. 

This manor was forfeited in the time of Hen. I. by Roger Poictou and 
was held by William Hervey in the time of Rich. I. He was 

Dom. ii. 3496, 350. 



33 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

succeeded by his son Theobald Walter le Botiller who married Matilda 
Vavasour and died in 1206, being succeeded by his son and heir Theobald 
Walter who married Joan daughter of John de Marisco and died in 1248, 
when the manor passed to his nephew William Fitz Hervey who was Sheriff 
of Norfolk and Suffolk from 32 Hen. II. to 2nd Rich. I. In the 6th Rich. I. 
Theobald Walter was plaintiff in a fine against William Hervie of the 
3rd part of a knight's fee here conveyed to Theobald who re-conveyed 
to William and his heirs and the said William released his right in all the 
lands which were Hervey Walter's, grandfather of Theobald. This is no 
doubt the half a fee held of the Honor of Lancaster said to be held by 
Sir William Hervey, 1210-12 in the Red Book of the Exchequer' 
and by " William son of Hervici " in the Testa de Nevill (291). 
William Fitz Hervey was succeeded by his son and heir William Hervey 
who held the manor at his death in 1255.* He was succeeded by his son 
William Hervey who held the manor of Edmund the King's brother by 
render of half a knight's fee, with the advowson of the Church. He 
died in 1297,' and was succeeded by his daughter and heir Amy who 
married Robert Leyes or de Lyes. Page, no doubt copying from the 
author of the Magna Britannia, informs us that the lordship was vested in 
the Abbot of Bury 9 Edw. I. [1281] but this is a delusion. Robert de 
Leyes and Amy had an only daughter Beatrix who married William de 
la Lee who died in 1281 leaving an only daughter Beatrix married to Thomas 
de Badwell. According, however, to Sir Symonds d'Ewes, Thomas de 
Badwell's wife was the daughter of Robert de Lyes and Amy Hervey. 
This Thomas Badwell left a son W. Badwell, who died without issue and a 
daughter Anne, who married Thomas Poley in the time of Rich. II. and 
were ancestors of the Poleys who subsequently had this Boxstead Hall 
Manor. Beatrix the wife of Thomas Badwell, died about 1326* and the 
manor passed to William de la Gosefeld 3 and Isabel his wife, but in 1330 
Beatrix widow of William de Ferrers appears as lady and she conveyed 
in 1331 to Sir Robert de Bures and Michael his son. 6 According to Davy 
the next lord was Sir Wm. Giffard Knt. in 1339, and we find that in 1333 
a fine was levied of the manor by Sir William Giffard and Isabel his wife 7 
against William Hervey. 8 Sir William Giffard seems to have had a 
daughter Cecilia, for we find from a Charter in the Bodleian dated 1362 
a person answering her description coming into court in Boxstead on 
Wednesday next after the octave of the Holy Trinity and enrolling a 
charter by which she quits claim to Stephen Bacun and Beatrice his wife 
all her right in the manor with the advowson of the Church. 9 

Davy makes Lord Scroope of Masham lord in 1456, but this seems 
to be a mistake. He was probably misled by finding Boxstead in the 
Inquisition p.m. of this date of Sir John Le Scrope. The land was in 
Boxstead, but it was 50 acres of pasture called " Palmeres " held as of 
Honor of Boulogne. 10 Of this same land Sir Thomas Scrope de Masham 
died seised in 1475." Davy makes Anne Badwell daughter and heir of Thomas 
Badwell married to Thomas Poley lady of the manor and from them deduces 

132 B. I4&J, I52d. Harl. 49 I. 44. 

.P.M., 40 Hen. III. ' See Gyffords and Hallymote Manor, 
I.P.M.. 25 Edw. II. 51. Wattisfield in Blackbourn Hundred. 

I.P.M.. i Edw. III. 88. Feet of Fines, 7 Edw. III. 17. 

See Feet of Fines, rz Edw. II. 42, 19 ' 36 Edw. III., Bodl. Suff. Ch. 361. 

Edw. II. 9. Originalia, 19 Edw. ' I.P.M., 34 Hen. VI. 14. 

II. ii. I.Q.D., 17 Edw. II. 104. " I.P.M., 15 Edw. IV. 41. 



BOXSTEAD. 33 

the Poley holding of the manor. On the other hand Page informs us that 
the manor was held by Robert Harleston who was attainted for his adherence 
to the house of Lancaster in the early part of the reign of Edw. IV. This 
Monarch granted the manor to his brother Richard Plantagenet, Duke of 
Gloucester, afterwards Rich. III. It is quite true that the Manor of 
Boxstead is mentioned in the Inquisition p.m. of Robert Harleston in 
1475' but so is it also in that of Joan wife of Sir William Parre the same 
year. 2 The one matter which is clear is that the manor was vested in 
Thomas Poley, who died in 1461, he being the son of the Thomas 
Poley whom Davy refers to as having acquired the manor by 
marriage with Anne daughter and heir of Thomas Badwell of Boxstead 
and sister and heir of John Badwell of Boxstead. In 1445 we find a fine 
levied of the manor between Robert Purfy clerk, against John Baily and 
Thomas Poley, 3 which is almost conclusive of the correctness of Davy's 
statement. This Thomas Poley who died in 1461 married Alice daughter 
and co-heir of Geffrey Rookehill or Rockhill of Wormingford co. Essex 
and was succeeded by his son John Poley man-at-arms in the retinue of 
Lord Hastings in 1480 who died in 1487 leaving by Agnes his wife daughter 
of Sir Richard Whetley or Whethill Knt. of Calais, a son Richard Poley 
who married Anne daughter of Sir Wm. Clopton Knt. of Liston Hall co. 
Essex and of Kentwell Hall Melford and died the igth February 1543 
to whose memory there is a strip of brass on the North side of the Altar in 
Boxstead Church. He left with other issue a son John Poly who married 
Margery daughter of John Blyant of Ringshall and heir to Richard her brother 
and succeeded to the Lordship. He died in 1580 and there is an inscrip- 
tion to his memory on the South side of the Altar in Boxstead Church. The 
manor passed to his son [John Poley (afterwards knighted) aged 30 at 
his father's death. He died apparently without issue and the manor 
passed to his brother] William Poley who married Alice daughter and 
heir of Edmund Shaa of Horndon-on-the-Hill, Essex, and grand daughter 
of Sir John Shaa Lord Mayor of London in 1500. He died the 
17 Dec. 1587 and in Boxstead Ch. is an altar monument on which lie large 
as life two portraits of him and his wife. They are of oak painted black 
and are perfectly sound and entire. They are most peculiar and unlike 
any other in Suffolk. On her pillow is this, 




and on her Prayer Book an escutcheon with the arms of Poley impaling 
those of Shaa, or Shaw. William Poley left with several daughters, 
2 sons Sir John Poley Knt. his eldest, who died without issue in 
Flanders, and Sir William Poley Knt. who ultimately succeeded. He 
married Anne 2nd daughter of Sir Robert Jermyn Knt. of Rushbrooke 
and was buried in Boxstead Ch. August 6, 1629, his widow 
surviving until 1658. He had with 3 daughters, Robert, killed at the 
Isle of Rhe' without issue and Sir William who succeeded him. Sir William 
Poleymarried first Elizabeth daughter andco-heirof Sir Henry Arden Knt. of 
Warwickshire maid of honour to Henrietta Queen of England and secondly 

' I.P.M., 15 Edw. IV. 49. 3 Feet of Fines, 23 Hen. VI. 12. 

I.P.M., 15 Edw. IV. 34. 



34 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Elizabeth 5th daughter of Paul D'Ewes of Stowlangtoft. He was buried at 
Boxstead 18 May 1664, and was succeeded by his son Sir John Poley Knt. 

Sir Richard Gipps says of him, he was a Gentleman of sound under- 
standing, a sincere heart, and a plain, primitive and open behaviour, 
a loyal subject and a true lover of his country. He was chosen Burgess 
of Sudbury without his knowledge and sat in the Convention against 
his inclination, where, in that memorable Debate Jan. 28, 1688, whether 
the Throne was vacant, he made the following Speech : ' Mr. Speaker, I 
am sent hither to do the Church and Caesar Right, to vindicate the Doctrines 
of one, and preserve the Majesty of the other ; both which are in Danger 
from Gentlemen's Arguments in the Debate of this Day. Mr. Speaker, 
here is an Affair of the greatest Weight before us, both as we are Christians 
and Englishmen ; no less than the deposing a King whom we have sworn 
Allegiance to. Will our Religion or our Laws justify such a Proceeding ? 
I know they will not. Gentlemen indeed have laid a mighty Stress upon 
the Original Contract ; and urg'd the Vacancy of the Throne from his 
Majesty s Breach of that. But, I hope, we shall not proceed rashly in a 
matter of such Consequence to us and our Posterity. And therefore I 
move that this Debate be adjourn'd till the Original Contract be produc'd, 
and laid upon the Table for the Members to peruse, that we may see 
whether his Majesty has broke it, or no." After this he retired into private 
life and lived and died respected by all his countrymen and neighbours 
at his seat at Boxstead Hall the I3th September 1705. He had married 
ist Elizabeth dau. of George Walton of Little Bursted in Essex who died 
the 25 Jan. 1677, 2ndly Bridget Sams the youngest daughter of Richard 
Sams of Little Totham nr. Maldon in Essex buried the 23 Dec. 1689, and 
3rdly Dorothy 3rd dau. of Sir Henry Felton of Playford Bart, but left no 
issue. 1 Sir John Poley was succeeded by his brother Thomas Poley. 
He married Frances daughter of Sir Richard Head Bart, of Rochester and 
had issue two sons and two daughters, Richard who married Elizabeth 
Walford and died in 1701 without issue, William who also died without 
issue, Bridget, and Elizabeth Poley who married Robert Weller 2 of Ton- 
bridge, and carried the Boxstead Manor which has been for so many 
generations in the ancient family of Poley to the Wellers. In the Dormitory 
on the north side of the Chancel of Boxstead Ch. is a fair mural marble 
pointing to a lesson to be derived from the lives of the Poleys : 

I stand not here to compliment the dead, 
Or make the living blush, the Family 
Which lies interr'd within this narrow vault, 
Could boast themselves to be no more than men. 
Though all for private Virtue's loss should grieve, 
And acts of goodness merit our applause ; 
Though Custom's self commands the contrary ; 
I'm not permitted to say more than this : 
Whatever blemishes their Lives disclose, 
They beg in Charity may be conceal'd : 
And if some Virtues shine through Envy's vail ; 
Those imitate, and spare thy generous Praise. 

1 According to a MS. pedigree in the This Robert Weller was a son of Thomas 

writer's possession, which came Weller by Elizabeth his wife, which 

from the late Dr Howard, Sir John Thomas was son of Thomas Weller 

Poley is assigned three children, and Elizabeth Barton, which 

William Poley, buried the 25 Apl., Thomas was son of Richard and 

1698, Elizabeth Poley, died the n Agnes Thomas his wife, which 

Oct., 1726, and John Poley of Richard was son of Alexander 

Boxsted Hall, born the 24 June, Weller who died in 1596 and 

1676, and died the 13 SepL, 1757. Elizabeth Deuce his wife. 



BOXSTEAD. 



35 



Elizabeth Weller died in 1761 having had by Robert her husband who had 
died in 1751, an only son George Weller who assumed the name of Poley. 
He married Frances daughter of Thomas Hussey of Burwash co. Sussex 
and by her who died in 1796 left at his decease the 2gth December 1778 
aged 69 a son George who died unmarried the 10 April 1780 and the Rev. 
John Weller Poley, Rector of Hartest and Boxford his successor. He 
married Jane daughter of John Blanch Whaley of Colchester and by her 
who died the 20 Dec. 1832 left at his decease the 10 May 1799 an only son 
George Weller Poley who married Helen Sophia daughter of James Fisher 
of Browston Hall, and by her who died the 20 Oct. 1860 left a son John George 
Weller Poley who was successor to his father on his death the 5 Nov. 1849. 
He was High Sheriff for the County in 1857 an d married the 28 Oct. 1847 
Diana youngest daughter of Thomas Halifax of Chadacre Hall Shimpling 
and dying the 5 Sept. 1869, was succeeded by his eldest son John George 
H. Weller-Poley of Boxsted Hall, the present lord of the manor, who was 
High Sheriff of the County in 1883. 

Extracts from the deeds of William Poley in 1643 will be found in 
the Bodleian, 1 and a Court Roll of the manor is mentioned in the 
loth Report of the Historical MSS. Commissioners. 4 Boxsted Hall is 
an ancient mansion surrounded by a moat and situated in a park of about 
90 acres in extent. A few years ago the Hall was repaired and its carvings 
restored. It is the seat of its owner the present lord. An account of 
Boxted Hall will be found in the Publications of the Suff . Institute, 3 and of 
the Poley Family in Burke's Landed Gentry, 4 Notes and Queries 3rd Ser. ii. 
417, 546, 8th Ser. xii. 508. Amongst the Early Chancery Proceedings 
may be seen a suit respecting a forged bond concerning lands enfeoffed by 
Elizabeth Lady Clopton in this manor. 3 

There are two other small manors in Boxstead one known as Troketts 
or Truckets Manor the other as More's manor. 

TROKETTS al. TRUCKETS MANOR. 

This was the lordship of William Felton, who died the 23 Dec. 9 Hen. 
VII. 6 In the Inquis. p.m. of this William Felton the manor is referred 
to as a manor called ' Trokettes ' with tenement called ' Bekkes ' in 
Boxsted worth 12s. held of the Abbot of Bury. On William Felton's 
death the manor passed to his heir Edmund Felton of Pentlow. He 
died the I3th May 1519,' and was succeeded by his son and heir 
Edmund Felton who died the 10 Dec. 1542 and was succeeded by his 
son and heir George Felton 8 who was succeeded by his son and heir 
Edmund Felton. 9 In 1553 a fine was levied of the manor by Edmund 
Felton and others against George Felton and others 10 and in 1570 by George 
Tyrrell and others against Margaret Felton widow and others." The manor 
passed to John Felton and fines were levied against him in 1572 by William 
Aylof and others 12 and in 1574 by Richard Elyott. 13 Amongst the Exchequer 
depositions are the particulars of a suit by Thomas Cronshaye clerk against 
Thomas French and others in 1587 as to parcel of land at Boxstead with 

1 4180. " I.P.M., 35 Hen. VIII. 223. 

' Pt. ii. 63. ' See Glemsford al. Peverells Manor, 

3 Vol. I. iii. 358-373. Glemsford, in this Hundred. 

4 i. 1280. " Fine, Mich. I Mary. 

5 E.C.P., i Hen. V. 4 Hen. VI. 6, 156. " Fine, Easter 12 Eliz. 

6 Inq. 10 Hen. VII. 1014. " Fine, Trin. 14 EUz. 

' I.P.M., ii Hen. VIII. 27. " Fine, Mich. 16 and 17 Eliz. 



36 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

wood, and the meets and bounds of this manor are involved. George 
Felton is referred to as late owner of the Manor of Trucketts in Boxstead. 

In the time of Charles I. this manor belonged to Frederick Scott and 
later to Sir Robert Dicer Bart. In 1827 it was owned by Asgood Pec. 

MORES MANOR. 

The other manor, Mores, was the lordship of William Cressener in 
the isth century. He died in 1454 and was succeeded by his third son 
Ralph Cressener and he by Robert Cressener and he by Alexander Cressener 
the prother of Ralph. Alexander Cressener died in 1497 and was succeeded 
by his son and heir John Cressener, who in 1542 sold the manor to Richard 
Poley. 1 In 1588 a fine was levied of the manor and that of Somerton Hall 
by Edmund Saunders and others against Philip Coningsby and others.* 
In 1798 the manor was vested in Lady Blundell. In 1827 it was vested 
in the Marchioness of Devonshire. 



Fine, Mich. 34 Hen. VIII. . Fine, Easter 30 Eliz. 



BRENT ELEIGH. 



BRENT ELEIGH. 



37 




HIS place was held in Edward the Confessor's time by 
Ulward a freeman under Archbp. Stigand and consisted of 
3 carucates of land, 5 bordars, 2 slaves, 2 ploughteams in 
demesne, 3 acres of meadow, i mill, 2 horses at the Hall, 
6 beasts, 20 hogs and 100 sheep, then valued at 40 
shillings, but by the time of the Norman Survey at 80 
shillings. It was half a league long and 4 quarantenes broad 
and paid in a gelt 3%d. 

The Domesday tenant was Tehell de Herion or Helyon. 1 There 
were one or two other small holdings in Illegh or Eleigh entered in the Survey 
one that of Richard son of Earl Gislebert who had 7 men here under 
Wisgar by commendation and soc and sac holding 60 acres of land, i 
ploughteam and i mill valued at 10 shillings 2 and the Bishop of Bayeux 
who had 3 freemen under soc and commendation of Earl Algar (but then 
Tehell de Herion held them of the Bishop) with 30 acres, formerly i plough- 
team, then but half a team, and half an acre of meadow, valued at 5 
shillings. 3 There was also another holding probably in Brent Eleigh 
under the head Lelegay in the Domesday Survey, and this was the holding 
of the Abbot of St. Edmund who had 5 freemen in the tenancy of Arnulf 
with 3 carucates and a half, 5 bordars, 3 acres of meadow, wood for 2 hogs 
and i slave. They ploughed with 4 teams and could give or sell their 
land, but the soc and sac and commendation and the custom remained 
with the Abbot. The value in Saxon times was placed at 3 pounds, but 
by the period of the Great Survey this had risen to 4 pounds. The extent 
was 4 quarantenes in length and 6 in breadth and it paid in a gelt 3j^. 4 

BRENT ELEIGH MANOR. 

The lordship was very early vested in the family of Illeigh or Ely 
from whom it passed in the time of Hen. III. to that of Shelton by the 
marriage of Ralph de Shelton with Catherine daughter and heir of Henry 
de Illegh. The estate of Catherine was extensive, for Ralph her husband 
gave 18 marks to Hen. III. and did homage to that King for three whole 
fees held of the Honor of Will, de Helyun. 

In 1244 Ralph Shelton was dead and Henry his son and successor 
held the 3 fees, said to be in chief of the King. 5 Nicholas de Shelton was 
lord in 1257, an d in that year gave lands there to the Abbot and Convent 
of St. Osyth in Essex ; in 1270 Henry de Shelton, who seems to have been 
the son of Nicholas, held divers lands of his father with the manors of Arsa 
(or Illeye) Combusta Brent (or Burnt) Ellye and died in 1271. Robert 
his son and heir had livery at his father's decease and in 1286 had liberty 
of free warren therein. 6 He settled land here to maintain lights in this 
parish church, and in 1305 he and Isabel his wife held the manor for life, 
John de Shelton being their son and heir and of full age, with remainder 
to Thomas and Henry their other sons. Sir Robert died this year, 
being succeeded by his son and heir John de Shelton. John de Shelter 
died seised in 1332 8 leaving Ralph de Shelton his son and successor 

Dom. ii. 4276. 6 Hund. Rolls, ii. 142, 150, 153. 

Dom. ii. 3926. ' Inquis. p.m. Robert de Schelton and 

Dom. ii. 3736. Isabela his wife, 33 Edw. I. 43. 

Dom. ii. 3596. ' I.P.M., 7 Edw. III. 2. 

T. de Nevil, 291. 



38 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

then aged 17. Blomfield says, " In 1330 it was found that Sir Ralph 
de Shelton sen. son and heir of John held the estate jointly with his wife 
Joan and that he died Oct. 16 in the same year [of course, he did nothing 
of the kind] leaving only three daughters Joan aged 12, Margaret 5 years 
and Isabel naif a year old." It is difficult to see how this could be for 
John de Shelton died seised in 1332 leaving a son Ralph de Shelton after- 
wards Sir Ralph. It seems that Margaret the wife of John de Shelton 
deceased having long before his death separated herself from him of her 
own accord and " lived with her gallant " lost her dower in this manor 
for so doing, so that Sir Ralph had it wholly from his father's death. 

On the Close Rolls in 1333 is an order to Wm. Bishop of Norwich to 
pay to the Abbot of St. Mary's York the 40 by which the Bishop made a 
fine with the King for the custody of all lands which belonged to John de 
Shelton tenant in chief in Brent Eleigh, during the minority, of Ralph son 
of the said John. 1 The grant to the Bishop of Norwich of the custody 
of the lands is on the Originalia Rolls of 1333.' The complaint of T. de 
Walpole as to this wardship in 1334 will be found on the Rolls of Parlia- 
ment. 1 

There is a fine as to the third part of the manor in 1346 which is some- 
what strange. Thus " Thomas Kenyng and Margaret his wife v. Ralph 
de Shelton and Johanna his wife of a 3rd part of Manor of Brendholleye." 4 
Possibly this Margaret may have been the wife of John de Shelton married 
to one Thomas Kenyng after her husband's death and this fine might 
have been in respect of the dower not lost. However by 1346 Sir Ralph 
de Shelton was lord of the whole. He was in the King's Company at 
Cressy and there received the order of knighthood, the King then pardoning 
him the contempt and penalty which he had incurred in not taking that 
order upon him before, when his Majesty directed in his proclamation that 
all these who had 40 pounds a year in land should take the order upon 
them. 5 He married Joan daughter of Sir John de Playz of Wetyng, Knt. 
Sir Robert was a warlike personage and at the battle of Poictiers took 
John Rocourt prisoner for whom he obtained a safe conduct in 1356. Sir 
Ralph de Shelton by his Will dated in 1373 and proved in 1375 under the 
name of Sir Ralf Shelton senior Knt. ordered his body to be buried in the 
chancel of St. Mary's Church at Shelton in Norfolk and there according to 
Blomefield he was interred having died on the 17 Nov. 1373 " and his 
gravestone lieth in the midst of it, with his effigies in complete armour 
and a Saracen's head cooped for his crest." 6 He left Sir Ralph Shelton 
jun., knt., his son and heir, who was then married to Alice daughter of 
Sir Thos. Uvedale of Tacolneston Knt. In 1385 he attended John Duke 
of Lancaster in his great expedition into Spain and was at the famous 
battle of Nazaret. He succeeded to the manor on the death of Joan 
widow of Sir Ralph the Elder the 4 January 1405, when it was found that 
she having died without any heirs by Sir Ralph the Elder, the manor 
reverted to Sir Ralph son of Sir Ralph who was then 58 years of age. 7 
We do not attempt to explain this. Blomefield most distinctly makes 
Sir Ralph Shelton jun. Knt. son of Sir Ralph Shelton sen. Knt. and 
loan widow of Sir Ralph Shelton sen. to die " having no heirs 
by Sir Ralph " when he makes the manor " revert to Sir Ralph son of 

Close Rolls, 7 Edw. III. pt. i. 16. * Rymer v. 561. 

O., 7 Edw. III. 5. I.P.M., 50 Edw. III. 56. 
' Vol. ii. 75. I.P.M., 7 Hen. IV. 8. 

Feet of Fines, ao Edw. III. 23. 



BRENT ELEIGH. 39 

Sir Ralf." 1 Perhaps Blomefield's excuse is to be found in a note on page 
266 where he says, speaking of the Sheltons, "This family was so numerous 
from their original, that an exact account of them in a regular pedigree 
cannot be fixed." We may however be thankful at having arrived at a 
period where the descent of the manor seems less involved in mystery. 
This last Sir Ralph Shelton according to both Blomefield and Davy died 
the 25th April 1424 " as the inscription on his tomb in Great Snoryng 
church saith." Neither give the inscription, so we venture to think his 
death was in 1414 and not 1424." His successor was Wm. Shelton the 
brother of Sir Ralph jun. He married Katherine daughter of Simon 
Barett and died in I42I. 3 John Shelton son and heir of Wm. was the next 
lord, he having livery of his lands in 1427. He died in 1430" leaving his 
widow Margaret surviving. She remarried Robert Alyngton and died 
about 1479,' when John's son and heir Sir Ralph Shelton, succeeded. 
Ralph Shelton was High Sheriff of Norf. and Suff. in 1487 and married 
Margaret daughter of Robert Clere of Ormesby and of Elizabeth his wife 
daughter of Sir Thos. Uvedale by whom he had John his son and heir, 
Ralph, Richard, Elizabeth and Alice married to John Heveningham. 
Sir Ralph Shelton was living in 1492 but died before 1500, for then Margaret 
Shelton of Shelton " late the wife of Sir Rafe Shelton Knt." desired by her 
will to be buried in Shelton chancel by her husband "in a tumbe which is 
ordeyned to that intent." Their son and heir Sir John Shelton was High 
Sheriff of Norfolk in 1504 and was made Knight of the Bath at the corona- 
tion of Hen. VIII. Sir John Shelton married Anne daughter of Sir William 
Boleyn of Blickling in Norfolk Knt. and died 21 Dec. 1539 in the 62nd 
year of his age, being buried in Shelton chancel with this inscription, " Hie 
sum sepultus Johannes de Shelton miles." The inscription about the tomb 
on brass is : 

Johannes Shelton miles quondam istius pagi Dominus 

Si Fortunam, si Vitam, si Felicitatem, scire cupis, 

Hec Carmina tibi dicent. 

Lege, Vive et Vale. 

Morborum vicia, et Vite Mala maxima fugit, 
Nunc careo pacis, pace fruor placida. 
Vixit Annos 62 A". 1539. 
Bene merenti Uxor posuit. 

On the south side of the tomb are these arms : A quartered coat, 
I Shelton, 2 Illegh, 3 Burgullion, 4 Cockfield, Shelton, and Boleyn 
impaled. On the north side, Shelton and Boleyn impaled, Boleyn and 
Butler Earl of Ormond quartered 6 and Shelton and Boleyn impaled again. 
Sir John's own effigies in a praying posture with his arms on his surcoat and 
that of his wife with Boleyn' s arms are in the east window of the chancel. 
Sir John, son and heir of Sir John Shelton Knt. called the younger, was 
High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1522 and again in 1525 and had livery of this 
manor and Milden. In 1551 a fine was levied of the manor by Robert 
Gufdon against the said Sir John Shelton, no doubt on some settlement 
of the estate. 7 He married Margaret daughter of Sir Henry Parker Knt. 

' Norf. v. 265. having been the sister and co-heir of 

* I.P.M., 2 Hen. V. 2. Thomas Boleyn Earl of Wilts and 

3 I.P.M., 9 Hen. V. 50. Ormond son of Sir William Boleyn 

I.P.M., 9 Hen. VI. 43. Knt. of Blickling by Margaret 

5 I.P.M., 19 Edw. IV. 7. daughter and co-heir of Thomas 

6 These arms were quartered in conse- Botiler or Butler Duke of Ormond. 

quence of Anna, Sir John's wife ' Fine, Easter 5 Edw. VI. 



40 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

son and heir of Henry Lord Morley and was one of those who joined Queen 
Mary at Kt nninghall in order to advance her to the throne. He is 
un.lrr an altar monument in the chancel of the Church of Shelton 



with this iiiM ription : 

Sir John Shelton marryed Margaret the doughter of the Lord 

Morly and had issue Ralphe, Anne Alys and Marie and died 

the ...... day of November Anno Dm. 1558.' 

Ralphe married [Mary] the daughter of Sir William Woodhouse 

Anne married the son and heir of Sir John Godsalve 

Alys married the sonn and Heir of Sir Thos. Josselyn 

Mary* now Ladye Scudamore. 

Arms of Shelton and quarterings: Shelton impaling Morley, Shelton 
and Woodhouse, &c. 

Sir Ralph Shelton the eldest son succeeded and married, as stated in 
the above inscription, ist Mary daughter of Sir Wm. Woodhouse of Wax- 
ham Knt. and 2ndly Anne daughter of Thos. Barrow of Barningham who 
afterwards married Sir Charles Cornwallis. Sir Ralph Shelton is buried 
on the north side of the Altar with the following inscription : " Ralphe 
Shelton maryed Mary the Doughter of Sir William Woodhouse the i3th 
Daye of Septembre, Anno Dom. 1551 by whom he had issue Tho. John 
Raphe Edward Margaret and Audrey and dyed the 15 June 1568." 
On the side of the tomb the dates of the children's births. Arms : Shelton, 
Illeye, Burgullion, and Cockfield, quartered, impaling Woodhouse of 
Waxham. Thomas Shelton, Sir Ralph's eldest son is said to have succeeded. 
He married Elizabeth daughter of Edward Flowerdew Baron of the 
Exchequer and was gentleman porter of the Tower. He died in 1595 
and was succeeded by his brother Sir Ralph who married Dorothy daughter 
of Sir Robert Jermyn of Rushbrooke Knt. and was killed at the Isle of 
Rh6 in France. Dying without issue he was succeeded by his half brother 
Henry only surviving son of Sir Ralph Shelton by Anne Barrow his second 
wife. Henry married Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Jermyn of Depden 
and dying the 18 Oct. 1634 at Barningham was buried there. He was 
succeeded by his son and heir Maurice Shelton of Shelton in Norfolk, and 
Barningham in Suffolk, which latter he had as heir to Maurice Barrow son of 
William Barrow of Westhorp brother of Anne Barrow aforesaid his grand- 
mother. From the time of Maurice Shelton to the death of Henry Shelton 
the 24 May 1690 the manor passed in the same course as the Manor of 
Barningham in Blackbourn Hundred. 

The Davy MSS. suggest a doubt as to this descent saying or in the 
time of Philip and Mary the manor passed to Richard Thorpe, who sold it to 
Sir Ambrose Jermyn who sold it to Samuel Colman who was succeeded by 
his son and heir, when the manor probably became united with Abbot's 
Hall another manor in the parish of Brent Eleigh and descended accordingly. 
We do find in 1558 a fine levied of this manor and that of Welleshall al. 
Milden by Robert Thorpe against Ralph Shelton* and the manor 
no doubt did then pass to Thorpe, for on the Memoranda Rolls in 1560 is 
an order for removal of process from the site, &c., of the Manor of Brent 
Eleigh and discharge of a Robert Thorpe.' 

In 1844 the manor belonged to Thomas Brown M.D. ; in 1855 to 
Mrs. S. A. Brown; later it vested in Walter Thomas Brown, D.L., J.P., 

1 A Fine of the manor was levied this year Fine, Mich. 5 Mary r. 

between Robert Thorpe and Ralph : Memoranda 2 Eliz. Mich. Rec. Rot. 138 
Shelton and others. (Fine, Mich. 5 
Mary i). 



BRENT ELEIGH. 41 

of Brent Eleigh, who died in 1905, and it is now vested in the executors 
of his will. 

Particulars of the services and customs of the manor will be found in 
the British Museum Collection of MSS. 1 The Court Rolls 1464 to 1501 
are in the Brit. Mus.* Admittances of tenants to lands called Melkys 
al. Veyses, 1497-1608 will be found amongst the Harleian Charters. 3 
Conveyances, &c., of the site of the manor in 1551, 1601, and 1607 will 
also be found amongst these same Charters in the Brit. Mus. 4 A fine was 
levied of a manor of Brent Eleigh in 1589 by William Webbe against 
William Massye and others. 5 

Arms of Shelton : Azure, a cross or. and for Crest Saracen's head 
couped the shoulders ppr. 

ABBOTS HALL MANOR. 

This manor was constituted in the gift in 1257 f Nicholas de Shelton 
to the Abbey of St. Osyth, Essex, and at the Dissolution it was granted 
by the Crown to Robert Goodwin in 1542. 6 The following year we find 
the manor vested in John Spring, and in 1574 in William Spring 7 who 
this year sold it to John Ho veil al. Smith 8 who with Helen his wife had 
licence to alien in 1593 and conveyed in 1594' to Edward Colman who died 
in 1599 and was succeeded by William Colman his son and heir. The manor in 
the last-mentioned fine effecting the passing of the property is called "Manor 
of Illegh Combusta alias Brent Illeyghe alias Abbott's Hall." 10 William 
Colman died in 1606 and the manor passed to his son John Colman who sold it 
to Paul D'Ewes" from whom it passed to his son Sir Symonds D'Ewes 12 who 
sold it by Conveyance the i Oct. 1649 t Robert Canham of Milden Hall 
clothier, for 1,400. ' 3 The statement of Davy seems somewhat confused. 
The facts seem to be that Paul D'Ewes was originally a mortgagee of the 
Estate and subsequently became the purchaser. Amongst the Harleian 
Charters' 4 is a recognizance by which for 240 John Colman and Maria his 
wife acknowledge the manor to belong to Paul D'Ewes. It is dated in 1625. 
There is also amongst the Harl. MSS. in the Brit. Mus. a copy of the 
recognizance of John Colman in 1,000 made in chancery for performance 
of his covenants with Paul D'Ewes who had bought the manor of " Brunt 
Illeigh alias Abbots Manor " of him. The date is the 22 May i626 15 and 
the document is clearly one given on a sale by John Colman to Paul 
D'Ewes and not as Davy seems to put it on a sale by Paul D'Ewes or 
rather his son Sir Symonds to John Colman. However, the manor does seem 
to have returned to the Colemans or Colmansand John Coleman appears to 
have been succeeded by his cousin Edward Colman who died the 27 January 
1651 aged 58 and was succeeded by his youngest son Edward who died 
in 1698 aged 62 and was succeeded by Edward Coleman who gave this manor 
to Edward Goate in 1739. On the north side of the Chancel of the Ch. of Brent 

1 Add. MSS. 6156, 6160, Harl. 1006. I0 Fine, Easter 36 Eliz. 

Harl. Rolls I. 22. " Harl. 51 H. 33 is a licence of King 

3 Harl. 55 H. 30-37. James I. authorizing the alienation 

4 Harl. 57 H. 8, 55 G. 40, 112 E. 41. by Isaac Wincoll and Mary his 

5 Fine, Mich. 31, 32 Eliz. wife to Paul D'Ewes of their 

Particulars for the grant 34 Hen. VIII. parcel of this manor. 

will be found in the Record " See Stowlangtoft Manor in Black- 
Office D.K.R. 9, App. ii. p. 213. bourn Hundred. 

' See Netherhall Manor, Little Wald- "Harl. 85 H. 41. 

ingfield in this Hundred. ' 4 Harl. 49 E. 15. 

Fine, Mich. 16 and 17 Eliz. * Harl. 98, 67. 
Fine, 36 Eliz. East. Term. 



42 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Eleigh is a handsome marble monument. Beneath this is a portrait large as 
life with the following inscription: "Near this marble lieth the Body 

ir. Kdward Colman ; the last of an ancient and worthy Family, of 
which he was an Ornament and Support : whose great Virtues need no 
Recital in this Place especially where he has left so many monuments of 
Piety to God, and good will towards men. He died the 27 of February A.D. 
1739 jEtat. 72." 

In the Life of Dr. Balbie, the celebrated and eminent Physician who 
died in London in June 1776 aged 72, it is said that his relations the Cole- 
mans of Brent Eleigh notwithstanding the great political antipathy they had 
to his marriage with the daughter of Barnham Goode the under-master 
of Kton School, behaved to the wife with the utmost civility, and left Balbie 
thirty thousand pounds. 

Edward Goate married Mary dau. of Thomas Barnardiston of Wy ver- 
sion Hall by Mary dau . of Sir George Downing Bart . of Cambridgeshire and died 
the 21 Dec. 1747 aged 53. He is interred with his wife in Brent Illeigh Ch. 
where there is a monument to their memory. It seems the wife died the i7th 
Feb. 1804, having attained the great age of 95 and as the inscription says 
" might have been accounted a rare instance of happy longevity but that 
in the last year of her life she had the misfortune to survive her tenderly 
affectionate youngest daughter and her only and best of sons which brought 
her with sorrow to the grave." The marble was inscribed as a tribute of 
filial respect for her parents by Mary Ranby her only remaining child. 

Edward Goate was succeeded in the lordship by his son and heir Edward 
Goate who served ten years in the first Regiment of Foot Guards and was 
afterwards Colonel of the East Suffolk Regiment of Militia. He died May 
25th, 1803, at the age of 63 years, and on a marble to his memory in Brent 
Eleigh Church it is stated that he " enjoined his family not to raise any 
monument to his memory but to have written on his stone that in the vault 
beneath lie his remains." The statement however is made as to his serving 
in the Army and Militia and then follow the words : " The space above 
allowed not room to enumerate his merits 

but they are deeply engraved 
on the hearts of his family, 
his friends, his dependants, 
and his neighbours." 

On Edward Goate's death the manor passed under his will to his 
daughter Sarah Dionesse who married Thomas Brown M.D. of Lostock 
Place. He died the 9 Sept. 1852 aged 77, and his widow the nth Aug. 
1866 aged 79, when it passed as the main manor. 

Admissions of tenants of this manor in 1534 and 1556 will be found 
amongst the Harleian Charters in the British Museum. 1 

FEN HALL MANOR. 

The first lord of this manor we meet with is Peter de Denarston who 
had free warren here in 1312.* 

In 1327 we find from the Patent Rolls that a commission was issued 
on complaint of this Peter de Denarston that Edmund de Sancto Mauro, 
Sir William Cockerel and others broke his houses at Brent Eleigh and 
Milden, felled his trees and carried them away. 3 The manor belonged 

Harl. 58 E. 2, 58 E. 3. > Pat. Rolls, i Edw. III. pt. i. 28*. 

Chart. Rolls, 5 Edw. II. 2. 



BRENT ELEIGH. 



43 



to Robert Thorpe in 1560.' From him it seems to have passed to William 
Humberston under a fine levied in 1566' and then on to William Spring, 
who in 1574 sold it to John Hovell al. Smith 3 who in 1585 leased it to 
Isaac Wyncol. 4 The licence for its sale is dated the 2 Sept. 1593, and it 
was then held of the Crown in chief. 5 

It is said that the manor and advowson of the Vicarage were granted 
in 1542 to Robert Goodwin as parcel of the possessions of St. Osyth's Abbey in 
Essex, but this must refer to the estate which Nicholas Shelton gave to the 
Abbey in 1257. Amongst the Conventual leases in the Augmentation Office 
is a lease dated the loth Nov. 29 Hen. VIII. [1537] from John Colchester, 
Abbot of the Monastery of St. Osyth's to Thomas Myryell of Assington 
Gent, of " All that the Manor of Brendeillegh with the appurtenances in 
the County of Suffolk, the parsonage of the said Toun and all manner of 
Tyths to the same and all other their lands tenements rents farms and 
hereditaments with their appurtenances in Brendeillegh and other towns 
thereunto adjoining with the perquisites of Courts thereto belonging and 
all other their appurtenances except reliefs, wards, marriages, escheats 
and the presentation of the vicarage there " for the term of 68 years from 
Michaelmas then last past under the yearly rent of 7 with power to the 
said Thomas Myryell to retain thereout 205. by the year for the payment 
of the rents resolute going out of the premises the said Thomas and his 
executors paying all out-rents yearly going out of the said manor and 
other the premises to all manner of persons, and the costs and charges of 
the Channon Bailiff, the Steward, and other the Lord's officers and servants 
as often as they shall repair unto the said farm by the Abbot's assignment 
to keep courts there and also discharging the Abbot and Convent against 
the Vicar of Brendeillegh and his successors of one yearly pension of 8 
marks going out of the said Monastery to the said Vicar. 

According to an entry in theHarl. MSS. John Colman sold the manor to 
Paul D'Ewes in 1626.' Dr. Colman, fellow of Trinity College Cambridge about 
1700, built a fine parochial library at the end of the chancel of the Church 
and well furnished it with books subsequently Edward Colman built some 
almshouses for 6 poor people and in 1736 liberally endowed them. The 
last of the family, Edward Colman, gave the estate to his kinsman Edward 
Goate whose son Edward in 1747 inherited the same. 



1 2 Eliz. Memoranda Mich. Rec. Rot. 4 Harl. 56 C. 39. 

138. * Pat. Rolls 35 Eliz. pt. i. i. 

1 Fine, Trin. 8 Eliz. 6 Harl. MSS. 98. 

Fine Mich. 16 and 17 Eliz., Originalia 

16 Eliz. 




44 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

BURES. 

the time of the Domesday Survey there were certainly two 
manors here though one only is named as such. The first 
was held in Edward the Confessor's day by Witgar who 
had 18 freemen by commendation and soc and sac. These 
freemen could sefi their land without licence, but there 
were 4 socmen who could not sell. The 18 freemen had 
i carucate of land and a half, and 3 socmen who had a 
like quantity, had under them i villein 7 bprdars 3 ploughteams and 
4 acres of land, wood for 6 hogs and one mill valued at 20 shillings. 

Bures was a league long and half a league broad and paid 24^. in a 
gdt others held land here, and there was a church benefice with 18 
acres of land. The Domesday tenant in chief of this manor was Richard 
son of Earl Gislebert.' 

The other manor was held in Saxon times by Uluric son of Brictric 
who had 2 carucates of land and there were 7 slaves, 2 ploughteams in 
demesne, wood for 40 hogs, 4 acres of meadow, 2 beasts, 60 sheep, and 40 
hogs valued at 60 shillings, which at the Norman Survey had come down 
to 40 shillings. The slaves had come down to 4 and the hogs to 20 ; 
but there were in addition 2 bordars, i mill, 2 horses, 140 sheep in lieu of 
60 and 35 goats. Another carucate was held in Edward the Confessor's 
time by Tosti a freeman with i villein, i slave, i ploughteam, wood for 
10 hogs, 2 acres of meadow, 40 hogs, 20 sheep which particulars by the 
time of the Norman Survey had somewhat varied. The villein had gone, 
but there were two bordars ; 20 of the hogs had disappeared, but there were 
15 goats. The value was 20 shillings. Besides there were 2 freemen 
under Harold who had 60 acres which they could sell and i ploughteam 
valued at 5 shillings and the freemen were delivered up to make up the 
manor. John son of Waleran was the Domesday tenant in chief. 2 

Two other holdings only are mentioned in Domesday Survey. One was 
that of the Abbot of Bury holding 3 socmen with 8 acres of land and one 
acre of meadow valued at i6d. These socmen could give or sell their land, 
but by soc and all customs they would continue under the Abbot.' The 
other holding that of Roger de Rheims was more extensive. He held 
a carucate of land which had belonged to Earl Algar. There was one villein, 
and one slave one ploughteam in demesne and another belonging to the 
men. There were also 2 bordars, 2 acres of meadow and there had been for- 
merly half a mill (but this half interest had gone by the time of the Norman 
Survey) one horse, 30 hogs and 100 sheep, the whole being valued at 20 
shillings. 4 This Roger de Rheims or Reymes had come over with the 
Conqueror and had received for his services the Honor of Raimes consisting of 
10 knights' fees in Essex. From him descended Richer de Reymes who 
flourished in the reign of King Stephen. Richer was the father of Roger, 
the father of Ralph, the father of William who left two daughters only, 
Agnes married to Adam de Rattlesden and Maud who died without issue. 

In later times the two manors of Domesday became divided into six: 
Bures St. Mary or Bures Magna Manor, Netherhall or Sylvesters Hall, 
Overhall or Ropers', Cornertn Hall, Smallbridge Manor and Parry's 
Manor. 

1 Dom. ii. 435*. Dom. ii. 360. 

Dom. ii. 393. Dom. ii. 4216. 



BURES. 45 

BURES MANOR. 

This was the portion of Witgar and of Richard son of Earl Gislebert as 
the Domesday tenant. This Richard was the progenitor of the illustrious 
house of Clare, of the Barons of Fitzwalter and the Earls of Gloucester 
and Hertford. He was the son of Gilbert, surnamed Crispin Comte d' 
Eu, and Brionne grandson of Richard I. Duke of Normandy. He had 
at the time of the Domesday Survey 188 manors and burgages, thirty five 
being in Essex and ninety-five in Suffolk. Planche in his Account of the 
Conqueror and his Companions cites an amusing incident recorded by the 
Continuator of Guillaume de Jumieges of how on the exchange Richard 
fitz Gilbert effected with the Archbp. of Canterbury of the Castle and estate 
of Brionne for Tunbridge in Kent equal value was ascertained. A league 
was measured with a rope round the Castle of Brionne, and the same rope 
being brought over to England, was employed in meting out a league round 
Tunbridge, so that exactly the same number of miles was allotted to the 
latter estate as the former had been found to contain. In 1073 he was 
joined under the designation of Richardus de Benefacta with William 
de Warren in the office of Justiciary of England. A few years later he 
was in arms against the rebellious lords, Robert de Britolio, Earl of Here- 
ford and Ralph Waher or Guader Earl of Norfolk and Suffolk, and greatly 
distinguished himself. 

Dugdale and others have confounded him with his grandson and 
namesake, and, as Mr. Planche has pointed out, have "reversed the order of 
events, but ascribed the same acts to both father and son and recorded 
the same fate to Richard and his grandson." Richard the Domesday 
tenant married Rohesia only daughter of Walter Giffard the ist Earl of 
Buckingham and had by her six sons and three daughters Gilbert his 
successor, Godfrey, Roger an eminent soldier in the reign of Henry I. and 
died without issue, Walter who made some conquests in Wales and died 
also without issue, Richard a monk of Bee in Normandy and afterwards 
Abbot of Ely, Robert, steward to Hen. I. from whom the Barons Fitz Walter 
descend. His three daughters were Rohesia married to Eudo Dapifer, 
Adelaide married to Walter Tirel and father of Hugh Tirel the Crusader, and 
a third daughter married to Ralph de Telgers. On Richard's death the 
manor passed with his lands in England to his son Gilbert known as Lord 
of Tonbridge. He joined in the rebellion of Odo Bishop of Bayeux in 
1088 but subsequently received a pardon. He married Adeliza daughter 
of the Earl of Cleremont and had 4 sons and 3 daughters Richard his 
successor, Gilbert, created Earl of Pembroke in 1138 and father of Richard 
surnamed Strongbow so celebrated in connection with Ireland, Walter 
who died without issue, Baldwin, Adelaide married to William de Percy 
whose daughter Maud married William Earl of Warwick and whose 
daughter Agnes was the ancestress of the later Percies, Rohese married 
to Baduon de Monmouth and Margaret married to William de Montfichet. 
Gilbert Lord of Tonbridge died about 1091 and the manor passed with most 
of the estates to Richard who was taken prisoner by Robert de Beleswe 
at the siege of Courci in 1091 and is erroneously stated to have died from the 
effects of his incarceration which was the result. He was the first of the 
family who bore the title of Earl of Hertford. He acquired vast possessions 
in Wales as the result of a long continued warfare which he waged some- 
what on his own account there. He was in 1136 killed in a combat with 
the Welsh chieftains Joworth and his brother Morgan-ap-Owen in a woody 
tract called " the ill-way of Coed Grano," near the Abbey of Lanthony. 



46 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

He married Alice sister of Ranulph 2nd Earl of Chester and was succeeded 
by his eldest son Gilbert who following his father's example called himself 
after his principal Barony " de Clare ' as 2nd Earl of Hertford.' 

In the time of Hen. III. the manor was held by William de Aguilon. He 
married a granddaughter of Henry Fitz Aylwin first Mayor of London. In the 
time of King John he made fine with the King for the custody and marriage of 
Joan the granddaughter and heir of this Henry Fitz Aylwin then the widow 
of Ralph Le Parmentier who after the death of her husband had been placed 
in the custody of William de Harcourt Seneschal of William Marshal Earl 
of Pembroke.' This lady was the daughter of Peter eldest son of Henry 
Fitz Aylwin. On the Roll of Fines of the isth year of the reign of John, 
1214 is a mandate to the Barons of the Exchequer as to moneys payable 
by this Wm. Aguilon, and on the Close Rolls the next year we find the 
following letter to Peter des Roches Bishop of Winchester one of the King's 
vicegerents during his absence across the channel : " Rex domino P. Win- 
toniensi Episcopo, etc. Mandamus vobis quod secundum recordum 
fidelium nostrorum. W. comitis Arundellie et W. Briwerre quod ab eis 
factum fuit de convencione facta inter nos et Willelmum Aguillun de filia 
et herede Petri filii Henrici filii Eilwini Majoris Londom'arum et de terris 
et redditibus que fuerunt ejusdem Henrici, Majoris Londoniarum, eidem 
Willelmo sine dilatione plenariam saisinam habere faciatis de predictis 
terris, redditibus, et aliis que fuerunt predicti Henrici filii Eilwini tarn 
infra civitatem Londoniarum quam extra. T. meipso apud Partenai ij 
die Septembris." 

William Aquilon was one of those who swore to obey the mandate 
of the twenty-five Barons chosen to be conservators of Magna Charta at 
Runnimede in 1215 and was one of the party of the Barons on the accession 
of Henry the Third. In right of his wife he also held land in Addington 
in Surrey by the Serjeanty of making a dainty dish called " Malpigernoun " 
or Dillegrout in the King's kitchen on the coronation day and serving up 
the same to the King's table. In the Testa de Nevill the tenure is thus 
noted : " Willelmus Aguillon tenet quandam terram in villa de Adinton 
per serjantiam faciendi hastias in coquina domini Regis die coronacionis 
sue vel aliquis pro co debet facere ferculum quoddam quod vocatur 
Girunt, et si apponatur sagina tune vocatur Malpigernoun." In a later 
inquisition taken after the decease of Hugh Lord Bardolf the details of 
the tenure are somewhat more exact and are thus expressed : "per servicium 
ad inveniendum unum cocum ad coronamentum domini Regis ad facien- 
dum unum ferculum pro domino Rege, quod vocatur Mees de Geroun, 
sumptibus domini Regis in una olla lutea." The manor of Adington had 
been granted by William the Conqueror to his cook, Tezelinus, and no doubt 
this was the original of the tenure. The service, according to Banks' 
Extinct Peerage has been regularly claimed by the lords of this manor and 
allowed at each coronation of the Sovereigns. 

William Aguilon died before the 3rd Oct. 1244 as we learn from an 
entry on the Fine Rolls of the 28th year of Hen. III., leaving his son Robert 
Aguilon his successor and heir. Dugdale is in error when he states that 
William Aguilon was succeeded by a son of a like Christian name. He 
cites as his authority Claus. 42 Hen. III. in dorso, m. n, but the entry 
is really Close Rolls 44 Hen. III. m. n in dorso, where the name is Robert 
and not William. Dugdale also confuses between this Robert and another 

1 See Sodbury Manor in this Hundred. ' Pat. Rolls, 14 John. 



BURES. 47 

Robert Aguilon also son of William living about the same time. This latter 
Robert married Agatha one of the daughters and co-heirs of Falk de Beaufou, 
Lord of Hokewold and East Herling co. Norf. and of Debenham co. Suffolk. 
He died in 1286 leaving four daurs. Agatha, Isabella, Johanna and 
Margeria of whom Adam de Kokefield, Lucas de Poynings, Ralph Fitz 
Bernard and Andrew de Sakevill were respectively the heirs as appears 
by a pleading of " Quare Impedit," for the advowson of the Church of 
Hokewold in Hillary Term 7 Edw. III. 1334. 

Our Robert Aguilon about the year 1257 married Joan de Mohun one 
of the seven daughters of William de Ferrers Earl of Derby. He was a 
devoted loyalist and on the Patent Rolls of the 49 th year of Hen. III. 
when the battle of Lewes had ended in the capture of the Sovereign by the 
rebel Simon de Montfort Earl of Leicester are inserted under the heading 
" De securitate recipienda a Roberto Aguilun, inimico Simonis de Monte- 
forti," four letters with the King's teste at Northampton nth Apl. 1265 
severally addressed to Thomas Fitz Thomas Mayor of London, Robert 
Aguilon and Master Thomas de Piweleden from which we learn that he 
had deferred taking the oath which had been required by the rebels of 
those who were suspected of adherence to their opponents. Robert 
Aguilon resided in the City of London in the mansion which had descended 
from his ancestors Henry Fitz Aylwin on the north side of the church and 
cemetery of St. Swithin in Candlewick Street over against London stone. 

Robert Aguilon married for a second wife Margaret Countess of Devon 
and of the Isle of Wight a daughter of Thomas Comte de Savoy and sister 
of Beatrix wife of Raymond-Berenger Comte de Provence mother of 
Eleanor wife of King Henry III. She had been previously married in 
1218 to Herman Comte de Ribourg and in 1257 to Baldwin Earl of Devon 
and of the Isle the last male of the illustrious family of de Reviers who 
in July 1262 died by poison eaten at the table of Peter de Savoy his wife's 
brother. Robert Aguilon was Sheriff for the Counties of Sussex and Surrey 
in 1267 and a member of the King's Privy Council for the 50 years of his 
reign, and on the morrow of his decease 17 Nov. 1272 John de Kirkeby 
delivered the King's seal under his (Kirkeby's) own seal and that of Peter of 
Winchester, Keeper of the Wardrobe to Lord Walter, Archbishop of York, 
Robert Aguilon and the rest of the King's councillors in presence of the 
same councillors. He had licence to castellate his two mansions of 
Perching co. Sussex and Adington co. Surrey in the 48th and 54th years of 
Hen. III. After the decease of John Fitz Alan Earl of Arundel 18 March 
1272 Robert Aguilon was made custodian of the castle of Arundel and of 
the lands of the Honor. 

On the Charter Rolls is a grant I3th June 1271 to Robert Aguilon of 
free warren, and a weekly market on Thursday and a fair on the vigil, the 
day and the morrow of St. Michael, at his manor of Bures. The grant is 
as follows 1 : " Pro Roberto Aguillon. Rex Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, etc., 
salutem. Sciatis nos concessisse et hac carta nostra confirmasse dilecto 
et fideli nostro Roberto Aguillon quod ipse et heredes sui imperpetuum 
habeant liberam warrennam in omnibus dominicis terris suis de Bures in 
comitatu Suffolcie, dum tamen terre ille non sunt infra metas foreste nostre, 
ita quod nullus intret terras illas ad fugandum in eis vel ad aliquid capien- 
dum quod ad Warrennam pertineat sine licencia et voluntate ipsius Roberti 
et heredum suorum super forisfacturam nostram x librarum. Concessimus 

1 Legibas, De Antiquis liber. Camden Soc. 1846 p. xliii. 



48 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

etiam oidem Roberto quod ipse et heredes sui imperpetuum habeant 
unum mercatum apud predictum manerium suum de Bures singulis 
septimanis per diem Jovis et unam feriam ibidem singulis annis per tres 
dies duraturam, videlicet, in vigilia et in die et in crastino sancti 
Michaelis, nisi mercatum illud et feria etc. Quare etc. Hiis testibus 
venerabile patre W (altero) Eboracensi archiepiscopo Anglie primate, 
G (odfrido) Wvgorniensi et R (ogero) Lichfeldensi et Coventrensi episcopis, 
Gilberto de Clare comite Gloucestrie et Hertfordie ; Jphanne de Warrenna 
comite Surreie, Humfrido de Bohun comite Herefordie et Essexie, Rogero 
de Mortuomari, Rogero de Leyburn, Willelmo de Wyntreshull, Willelmo 
Belet, Petro de Chaumpvent, Rogero de Wauton, Gilberto filio Hugonis et 
aliis. Datum permanumnostram apud Westmonasteriumxiii. die Jurm(i27i). M 
It is believed that the fair is still kept up but the day has been altered 
to Holy Thursday. On the Hundred Rolls 1275 we find an entry that 
the jurors say that Stephen de Langton had held half a knight's fee in 
Bures, and Mabilia his wife now holds the aforesaid half fee for the term 
of her life of Sir Robert Aguilon, and the said Robert holds the same of 
the King in chief. Robert Aguilon had much contention in 1279 with 
John de Warren Earl of Surrey and the Bishop of Chichester in respect 
of sporting rights in the County of Sussex and his men and their dogs were 
captured and imprisoned in Lewes Castle until set free by the King's writ. 
Sir Robert Aguilon died the 15 January 1286 leaving a daughter only by his 
first wife Isabella then the wife of Sir Hugh Bardolf. Her age at the time 
of the death of her father was 28 years, having been born on the 25 March 
1258. Sir Robert died seised of lands in the counties of Sussex, Surrey, 
Kent, Hertford, Buckingham, Norfolk and Suffolk. The Inquisition takeli 
in respect of the dower of the widow as to the Manor of Bures is as follows :' 
" Inquisitio facta apud Bures vii die Julii anno regni Regis Edwardi 
xx de terns et tenementis que fuerunt Margarete quondam uxoris Roberti 
de Aguilon per xii. juratos, &c. Qui dicunt super sacramentum suum 
quod dicta Margareta nichil tenuit de domino Rege in capite die quo obiit 
in comitatu Suffolcie, sed tenuit manerium suum de Bures Tany de Ysabella 
filia Roberti de Aguylon, ad terminum vite sue nomine dotis per mortem 
Roberti Aguillon per servicium duorum denariorum annui redditus. Item 
dicunt quod dictum manerium debet revertere Ysabelle, uxori domini 
Hugonis Bardolfi, tanquam filie et heredi Roberti Aguilon patris sui. 
Summa totalis extente xl/i. ixs. viiid. ob. de quibus debent resolvi per 
annum Abbati de Sancto Edmundo iis. et iid. et ob. pro warpany. Et 
sic remanet de claro xi/t. viis. et vid." 

Hugh Bardolf was the eldest son of William Bardolf by his wife Juliana 
only dau. and heir of Hugh de Gournay and he was born 29 Sept. 1259. Upon 
his marriage with Isabella his father settled on him and his bride the Manor 
of Plumpton co. Sussex to hold to the said Hugh and Isabella conjointly 
for life with remainder to the heirs of the said Hugh ; and Sir Robert de 
Aguilon settled on the young couple his capital messuage and Manor of 
Watton-at-Stone where Thomas their eldest son and heir was born on the 
feast of St. Francis 4th October 1282.' Of this Hugh Bardolf Baron of 
Wormegay co. Norf. we have this description in the Roll of Caerlaverock 
among those of the squadron of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln. 

Hue Bardoulf de grant maniere, 

Riches horns, preus e courtois, 

En asure quint fuelles trois, 

Portoit de fin or esmere". 
1 Ib. p. Ixxxii. I.P.M., 33 Edw. I. 



BURES. 49 

Which may be rendered : " Hugh Bardolf, a man of mighty deeds, rich, 
gallant and courteous, bore upon azure three cinquefoils of pure gold 
beautifully wrought." 

He was summoned as a baron to Parliament from 8 March 27 Edw. I. 
1299 t 2 9 Sept. 30 Edw. I. 1302, and was the twenty-second peer who 
subscribed the letter to the pope at Lincoln 12 Feb. 1300 29 Edw. I. by 
the style and title of Dominus de Wirmegeye. He died in the month of 
September 1304 leaving Thomas Bardolf his son and heir then of the age 
of 22 years and upwards. 1 

There is a fine of the manor in 1308 as follows : John son of Thomas 
de Bassyngburne v. Isabel daughter of Robert Aguylun (Thos. son of 
Hugh Bardolf and Thos. de Grey appon. clam). a 

In 1312 Isabella Lady Bardolf released to Sir Michael de Poynings 
knight and Margaret his wife all her right in the Manor of Bures by deed 
dated at Barcomb in Sussex on the feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin 
Mary 25 March 1312. The seal attached to it was of red wax, the impress 
a cinquefoil, each leaf of it charged with a fleur-de-lis, the cinquefoils 
being her husband's arms, and gules, a fleur-de-lis argent, her paternal arms. 

Sir Michael de Poynings was called to the King's counsel to advise 
on the affairs of the realm and was actively employed in the French and 
Scottish Wars both in the time of Edw. I. and Edw. II. He died before 
9 Edw. II. 1316 as at this date we find Margaret his widow returned as 
lady of the manor. On her death the manor passed to her son Thomas 
de Poynings who was summoned to Parliament as a Baron on the 23rd 
April 1337. In 1328 he had a grant of free warren here. 3 He married 
Agnes one of the daughters and co-heirs of John son of Bartholomew de 
Cryol and was slain in the great sea fight with the French at Sluse in 1339 
being succeeded by his eldest son Michael de Poynings 2nd Baron 
summoned to Parliament from the 25 Feb. 1342 to 24 Feb. 1368. On 
account of the valiant conduct of his father the King received the son's 
homage, though under age, and granted him livery of his lands arid full 
benefit of his marriage taking security for the payment of the relief. He 
gave a thousand marks to Queen Philippa in 1366 for the wardship and 
marriage of William son and heir of John Lord Bardolf to the end that he 
might take Agnes his daughter to wife, who by the name of "Agnes Bardolf " 
is mentioned as a legatee in the will of her mother Joane Lady Poynings 
dated 12 May 1369 and by that of " Lady Bardolf my sister " in the will 
of Thomas Lord Poynings 28th Oct. 1374. He was present at Cressy 
and married Joane widow of Sir John de Molyns Knt. and died in 1369, 
when he was succeeded by his son Thomas de Poynings 3rd Baron. He 
married Blanch de Moubray but died in 1375 without issue and was 
succeeded by his brother Richard Poynings 4th Baron who was then 17 
years of age. 

Davy has only 3 lords of this manor after this 1385 Rich, de Walde- 
grave, 1467 Wm. Bourchier son and heir apparent of Henry Earl of Essex, 
and 1848 Osgood Hanbury. The two former, however, do not appear 
to be correct and in any case there is a wide gap, which unfortunately 
cannot be filled with certainty except in the particular that Sir Richard 
Corbett died seised of the manor the 25 June 1524 and it then passed to 
Richard Corbett his son and heir. 4 

1 I.P.M., 32 Edw. I. 14. 3 Chart. Rolls, 2 Edw. III. 84. 

' Feet of Fines, 2 Edw. II. 2. 4 I.P.M., 16 Hen. VIII. 31. 



50 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

OVERHALL <i/. ROPER'S MANOR. 

In the time of Edw. I. the manor was vested in Robert de Bures who 
had a grant of free warren here in 1313.' He married Hillaria and died 
seised of the manor about 1331.* He was succeeded by his son and heir 
Sir Andrew de Bures who also had a grant of free warren here in I335- 3 
By Alicia his wife, daughter and heir of Sir John de Roydon he left two 
sons Robert and Andrew. He died the 22 April 1360* and was succeeded 
by his son Robert de Bures who however died the following year on the 
7th of October leaving his only daughter Alice married to Sir Guy de 
Bryan, and on her death the n January 1434' the manor devolved in 
the same course as Netherhall Manor next dealt with. The manor is 
included by name in the Inquis. p.m. of Sir William Waldegrave who 
died the 30 Jan. 1527,* of Sir George Waldegrave who died 8 July 1528,' 
and of Sir Wm. Waldegrave who died the 7 Nov. I554- 8 

NETHERHALL OR SILVESTERS MANOR. 

Davy mentions as the first lords, Peter de Silvester and Sir Roger de 
Silvester, but assigns no date. Succeeding them he has Joan (daughter 
of Silvester ?) widow of Robert de Bures whom he makes in 1365 marry 
Sir Richard Waldegrave, and die in 1410. Sir Richard Waldegrave, 
however, died in 1400 according to Weever, but probably in 1410 and Joan 
in 1406, when they were succeeded in this manor according to Davy, by 
their son Sir Richard Walgrave Knt. who was styled Lord of Buers and 
Silvesters. He was a valiant soldier and with Lord Clinton, Sir John 
Howard and Lord Falconbridge was appointed in 1402 to keep the seas, 
and landing 20,000 men in Brittany won the town of Conquet and the 
Isle of Rhe\ He married Jane daughter and sole heir of Sir Thomas 
Montchensy of Edwardstone Knt. and died in 1434. He does not seem to 
have retained this manor till his death, for we find Alice daughter and heir 
of Robert de Bures, who married Sir Guy de Bryan, holding at her death 
the II January 1434.' Their daughter Elizabeth followed as lady of this 
manor and married Robert Lovell. Their daughter Matilda married John 
Fitz Alan I3th Earl of Arundel who died the 12 June 1435 leaving a son 
Humphrey son and heir Duke of Touraine and I4th Earl of Arundel but 6 
years old at his father's death. Humphrey Fitz Alan i4th Earl of Arundel 
succeeded his grandmother Elizabeth Lovell on her death abt. 1438, but 
himself died on the 24 April this same year when the manor passed to his 
sister and heir Amicia married to James Butler Earl of Ormond and Wiltshire. 
The manor is mentioned in the inquisition post mortem of Elizabeth Lovell. 10 
Amicia Countess of Ormond and Wiltshire died without issue in 1457." Her 
husband, who was a staunch adherent of the House of Lancaster, and lord 
lieutenant of Ireland in 1451-2 and Lord Treasurer of England three years 
later, participated in the triumph over the Duke of York at Wakefield, 
but being in the Battle of Mortimer's Cross where the Lancastrians were 
defeated he fled and being taken prisoner was beheaded at Newcastle on 

1 Chart. Rolls, 7 Edw. II. 10. " I.P.M., 19 Hen. VIII. 44. 

I.P.M., 5 Edw. III. 55. I.P.M., 20 Hen. VIII. 18. 

' Chart. Rolls, 9 Edw. III. 37. I.P.M., i and 2 P. and M. 92. 

I.P.M., 34 Edw. III. 60. I.P.M., 13 Hen. VI. 34. 

Nethirhall Manor and Overhall Manor I. P.M., 16 Hen. VI. 50. 

as of Honor of Clare, Alice wife " I.P.M., 35 Hen. VI. 16. 

of Sir Guy Bryan. I. P.M., 13 Hen. 

VI. 34- 



BURES. 51 

the ist May 1461. He was attainted by Parliament in the November 
following his execution.' This manor with Overhall was granted forthwith 
by Edw. IV. to Sir Thomas Waldegrave, but there is a grant on the Patent 
Rolls in 1467 by the Crown to Henry Bourchier created Earl of Essex the 
30 June 1461* and to his wife Isabel and the heirs of their bodies of " the 
manor called ' Silvestres Halle ' in Sayntmaryburys with the mills there 
and all the lands, rents, reversions and services in Saynt mary burys," 
&c., 3 and in 1479 we nn ^ yet another grant by Edward IV. of this manor 
with that of Overhall and a tenement called " Ropers " in Bures and a 
water mill to Anne daur. of Richard Wodvill Earl Rivers and sister of 
Elizabeth Queen of Edw. IV. who had married Sir William Bourchier the 
son of the above Henry Earl of Essex. 4 The Grant will be found amongst 
the Cotton MSS. in the Brit. Mus. It is dated at Westminster Feb. 14, 
I479- 5 The next lord was Sir Wm. Waldegrave who died the soth Jan. 
1527 when the manor passed to his s. and h. George 6 and the subsequent 
devolution of this manor is the same as Smallbridge Manor. 

Court Rolls of this manor 3, 4, 8 to 14 Hen. IV. and i Hen. V. will be 
found in the Public Record Office. 7 

SMALLBRIDGE. 

This manor was probably carved out of the main manor in the time 
of Henry III. Sir Robert de Aguillon was lord and having two daurs. Isabel 
and Margaret the main manor became divided between them. One married 
Sir Michael de Poynings and became lord of Smallbridge Manor. 




SHALLBRIDGI. 



A fine was levied of the manor in 1310 between Michael de Poyning and 
Margaret his wife against Thomas de Poynings. 8 In the latter part of 
the I4th century the manor belonged to William Brande who died in 1375 
seised of it without issue. Sir Richard Waldegrave Knt. was the next 
lord with whom we meet ; he was the great grandson of John de Walgrave 
Sheriff of London in 1205, being the son of Sir Richard de Walgrave by 

I.P.M., i Edw. IV. 29. 5 Cotton. Titus, C. 10, i. 

' See under Hopton Manor in Blackbourn ' I.P.M., 19 Hen. VIII. 44. 

Hundred. 7 Portfolio, 203, 10. 

3 Pat. Rolls, 7 Kdw. iv. pt. ii.i6. ! Feet of Fines, 4 Edw. II. 20. 

4 Pat. Rolls, 19 Edw. IV. 4. 



52 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Agnes Daubenny his wife, which Sir Richard was son of Walter and Elizabeth 
his \vift-. daughter of Sir James Nevil, which Walter was son of John de 
Walgrave and his wife, daughter of Sir Henry Hastings, which John was 
son of Gwaryne de Walgrave and his wife daur. of Riston. Weever in 
his Funeral Monuments states that the following story having reference to 
the Waldegrave family was collected by John Raven, Richmond Herald, 
out of the pedigree of the Waldegraves : 

" On a time a gentleman of Northampton being at the sign of the 
Crown in Sudbury, and having conference with Master Edward Wald- 
grave of Bilston in Com. Sufi*. Esq., did make with him a very credible 
report of one Waldgrave in Northamptonshire, affirming that he heard 
it reported of old time that these Waldgraves were of very ancient 
antiquity, before William the Conqueror's reign, and that his name should 
be John ; who having one only daughter, and meeting with one Wald- 
grave which came out of Germany, and was employed in the Conqueror's 
services, the said German Waldgrave related with Waldgrave of Northamp- 
tonshire concerning the marriage of his said daughter ; and told him that 
he would give his consent that he might have his daughter in marriage, 
that then he would procure him a pardon from the Conqueror, for the 
quiet enjoying of his lands and livings. By which means he obtained 
the Conqueror's grant, with his own hand and seal for confirmation of 
all his lands unto him and his posterity. The which pardon and grant 
remaineth to be seen at this day, 1612, in the French tongue and is in the 
possession of the Lords of that Manor." 

Sir Richard Waldegrave lived at Smallbridge and represented Suffolk 
in Parliament in the reigns of Edw. III. and Rich. II. and was chosen 
Speaker of the House of Commons in the latter reign. In 1383 he obtained 
a licence to crenelate his manor house. 1 He also had this same year a 
grant of free warren in Bures.* He married Joan daughter and heir of 
Silvester of Bures and according to Weever's copy of the inscription on 
his tomb, died in 1400, but this inscription states that his wife Joan died 
in 1406, vet in Sir Richard's Will dated the 22 April 1401 he directs his 
body to be buried on the north side of the parish church of St. Mary of 
Buers near Joan his wife. Joan died the loth July 1397 and Sir Richard 
the 2nd May 1401. The inscription as given by Weever is this : 

Hie jacet Richardus Waldegrave miles qui obijt 2 die Maij. 
Anno Dom. 1400 et Joanna uxor ejus que obijt 10 Junij 
1406 Quorum animabus propitietur Deus. Amen. 
Qui pro alijs orat, pro se laborat. 

By his Will Sir Richard gives 205. to the high Altar, 35. 4^. to the Chapel 
of the Virgin Mary, and 35. 4^. to the Chantry and I2d. to every priest 
praying for his soul on the day of his burial ; to his son Richard he gave a 
missal with a vestment and chalice ; to the parish church of Walgrave a cope, 
to the Chapel of St. Stephen in the parish of Buers, a missal, then in London 
Chantry of Polstede a vestment and to the Friars of the Convent of 
Sudbury cs. to pray for his soul and the soul of Joan his wife and the souls 
of his benefactors, and he appointed Master William Candysh Rector of 

Ji. of Bulmere and Nicholas Blundel his executors. He was 
succeeded by his son Sir Richard Waldegrave who is styled Lord of Bures 
and Silvesters. In 1420 he granted to Sir William Bardwell, Sir John 
Hevenyngham and others his manors of Smallbridge and Bures, and also 

Pat. Rolls, 7 Rich. II. pt. ii. 6. Chart. Rolls, 7 and 8 Rich. II. 15. 



BURES. 



53 



his Manor of Gaynshall in Wickambrook by way of Settlement. Sir 
Richard married Jane daughter and heir of Sir Thomas Montchensey of 
Edwardston, Knt., and died the 2 May 1434,' but Jane his wife survived 
till 1450. They were both buried in the parish church of Bures. Their 
son Sir William Waldegrave married Joan daughter of William Doreward 
or Durward of Booking and was succeeded by their eldest son Sir Richard 
who died without issue in 1439 when the manor passed to his brother Sir 
Thomas Waldegrave who married Elizabeth, eldest daughter and co-heir 
of Sir John Fray knt. Chief Baron of the Exchequer. He died in 1500, 
and was buried at Bures, being succeeded by his son Sir William Walde- 
grave. He was nominated in 1513 as one of the most discreet persons for 
assessing and collecting the subsidy. He was knighted in 1501 at the 
marriage of Prince Arthur. A copy of a charter by Sir William Walde- 
grave founding a Chantry in Bures will be found amongst the Additional 
MSS. of the British Museum. 2 By his will dated the 26 Jan. 152! 16 Hen. 
VIII. J he appointed his body to be buried in the parish church of St. Mary 
of Buer in the tomb he had caused to be made under the arch between 
the high altar and the chapel of Jesu, and that he be buried within 24 
hours after his decease. To Dame Margery his wife he gave all his jewels, 
his manors and lands in the counties of Suffolk, Essex and Northampton ; 
and he adds : "Above all things I desire my Executors to pay my debts, 
and if I have wronged any man, to satisfy him ; my wife has the Manor of 
Edwardstone. I constitute Margery my wife, and my sons George and 
William my Executors." He was seised of the Manors of Roydon and 
Whersted, both of which he purchased of Robert Buers, and was seised also 
of divers manors in Northamptonshire. The Chapel of Jesu mentioned 
in the will is now used as the Vestry. He married Margery daughter of 
Sir Henry Wentworth of Coldham Hall Wethersfield, Essex, and dying 
the 3oth January 152$* was succeeded by his son Sir George Walde- 
grave who married Anne daughter of Sir Robert Drury of Hawsted Knt. 
who married subsequently Sir Thomas Jermyn of Rushbrook. George 
Waldegrave by his will dated July 6, 1528, and proved Aug. 25th following 
directed his body to be buried near the tomb of his father. To Ann his 
wife he devised his Manors of Smallbridge, Silvester's al. Netherhall, Over- 
hall and Frieps in Buers together with a manor in Essex during the minority 
of William his son and heir, but if it so happen that the said William 
died within age, then he willed that she should hold them until George 
his second son came to the age of 21 years, and if he died within age then 
that she should hold them in like manner until his (testator's) third son 
Edward came to the age of 21, and if he died within age then that she 
hold them until Richard his fourth son came to the age of 21. And the 
testator constituted Ann his said wife his sole Executrix. 5 At Depden 
two figures of Lady Ann are found upon the same brass ; she is represented 
with each of her husbands. 

George Waldegrave died the 8 July 1528, seised of the Manors of Small- 
bridge, Silvesters otherwise Nether-hall, Overhall and Freps or Schrepps in 
Bures, 6 and was succeeded by his son and heii Sir Wm. Waldegrave who took 
an active part in raising the standard of Mary. He was knighted about 
1543 and was Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk in 1549. He married Julian 

' I.P.M., 13 Hen. VI. 27. * Testamenta Vetusta, by Nicholas Harris 

Add. 34651. Nicolas ii. 629. 

' Proved the 6 March 1527. 6 I.P.M., 20 Hen. VIII. 18. 

I.P.M., 19 Hen. VIII. 44. 



54 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

sole daughter and heir of Sir John Raynsford Knt. and died the 12 December 
1554' and was buried in St. Mary's Church, Calais, the following inscription 
on brass being set up in Bures Ch. : 

Of your charity pray for the soul of Sir William Waldegrave, Knight, 
of Bures St. Mary in com. Suff., who died xii. December 1554 and left 
behynd one son and four daughters, on whose souls Jesu have mercy. The 
aid Sir William Waldegrave died at Callys in France, where his body is 
buried in St. Marie's Church there. 

Sir William \Yaldegrave was succeeded by his son William Waldegrave 
who was knighted in 1576 and married ist Elizabeth sister of Sir Thomas 
Mildmay, whose arms are still to be seen in a window at Smallbridge. 
Quarterly of ten : i, Per pale arg. and gu., Waldegrave ; 2, Barry, of ten arg. 
andaz., Montchensey ; 3, Gu. an eagle displayed arg., Vauncey ; 4, Or. a fesse 
vair, Creake or Creke ; 5, Arg. 2 bars sa. ; and in chief 3 pierced mullets of the 
last, Mawgan or Moigne ; 6, Erm. a fesse sa. betw. 3 fig. frays or., Fraye ; 
7, Gu. a chevron engrailed betw. 3 fleur-de-lis arg. ; 8, Gu. 6 eagles displayed, 
3, 2, and i or. (Lymsey ?) ; 9, Arg. on a fesse sa. 3 bezants ; 10, Gu. a cross 
flory arg., Mannock ; Impaling for Mildmay, Per fesse nebulfc arg. and 
sa, 3 greyhounds' heads crazed counter-charged collared or. The usual 
arms assigned to Mildmay are Arg. 3 lions ramp. az. armed and langued gu. 2 

Sir William was elected to represent the County in Parliament in 1559, 
1563, and 1597. On the occasion of the threatened invasion of England 
by the Spanish Armada, the County of Suffolk rose to the occasion and 
sent a considerable number of Knights and soldiers to augment the army 
speedily called together at Tilbury Fort. They were, we are told, " All 
choice men, well disciplined, and singularly furnished. Amongst them 
Sir William Walgrave, Knight, who had 500 men in his band." Sir William 
Waldegrave entertained Queen Elizabeth at the Hall in 1561 and 1579 
and died the 17 August 1613 and he and his first wife were both buried 
at Buers with the following inscription : 

Here liethe buriede Sir William Waldegrave Knight, and Dame 
Elizabeth his wife who lived together in godlie marriage 21 yeare and had 
issue 6 sonnes and 4 daughters. The said Elizabeth departed this life the 
10 daye of may in the year of our Lord God 1581 and the said Sir William 
deceased the i daye of August in the year of our Lord God 1613. 

Sir William Waldegrave had a second wife who died the 2ist July 1600, 
Grisild relict of Sir Thomas Rivett and youngest daughter of Lord William 
Paget of Beaudesert in the County of Stafford whose only daughter by her 
first husband Sir Thomas Rivett was married to Henry Lord Windsor, 
of Bradnam in the County of Buckingham. She was buried at Stoke by 
Nayland where her monument is still standing. 

This Sir William's daughter Mary married Thomas Clopton of Kentwell, 
who died in 1597 and whose son, Sir Wm. Clopton Knt. had by his first 
wife Anne daughter of Sir Thomas Barnardiston Knt. a daughter and heir, 
Anne married to Sir Symonds D'Ewes the great Suffolk antiquary. 

Sir William Waldegrave was succeeded by his son and heir Sir William 
who died about 3 months after his father, namely on the 25th November 
1613, leaving a son by his second wife Jemima daughter of Sir Nicholas 
Bacon, Knt., William who married Frances (afterwards married to Pere- 
grine Clerke) and had by her a son Thomas who on his father's death in 
1648 succeeded him. He married Mary who was afterwards married to 
Philip Cotton and dying the 19 April 1677 was succeeded by his son and 

1 I.P.M., i and a P. and M. 92. Suff. Inst. iv. 362. 



BURES. 



55 



heir Thomas Waldegrave. He was High Sheriff and a Deputy Lieutenant 
of the county and had two sermons dedicated to him by Nath. Bisbie D.D. 
of Long Melford in 1684. He married Isabella and died in 1692. 

The Smallbridge estate passed from the Waldegraves at the end of 
the iyth Century, for John Currant or Currance, the purchaser, held his 
first Court for the manor in March 1702. 

In the early part of the last century the manors of Smallbridge, Sil- 
vester, Netherhall and Overhall with the Parsonage passed into the 
possession of the Hanburys of Holfield Grange co. Essex and in 1847 was 
held by Osgood Hanbury who the 19 Aug. 1789 married Susannah Willett 
dau. of John Barclay banker in London and on his death the n Feb. 1852 
passed to his son Osgood Hanbury who the 21 July 1816 married Eleanor 
Willet dau. of W. Hall and on his death passed to his son Osgood Hanbury. 
The manor subsequently vested in Mrs. Reginald Hill of Coggeshall, Essex, 
but is now vested in Mrs. Frederick Hervey of Ickworth. 

CORNERTH HALL al. CORNHALL al. NORTHALL MANOR. 

This manor seems to have been held by Richard de Cometh or Cornerd 
in the time of Edw. I., and he claimed free warren here in 1275. He is a 
witness to a deed as " Richard Cornherthe Knight " in 1318, conveying 
land in Bures. 1 Upon a tomb on the north side of the Church of St. Mary 
Bures lies the cross-legged figure of a knight admirably carved in wood, 
in good preservation and supposed to represent this Sir Richard who is said 
to have sold the Hall for fourpence. 

According to a deed amongst the Harleian Charters dated the Feast of St. 
George 23 Apl. 6 Hen. IV. [1405] Joyce Vyne daughter of John Vyne released 
to Sir Thomas Culpeper and Joyce his wife mother of the said Joyce Vyne and 
to his heirs male of the body of the said Joyce Culpeper this manor, 2 and Sir 
Thomas Culpeper was succeeded by his son and heir Thomas. Amongst the 
Harleian Charters we meet with a release of this manor in 1428 from 
"Joyeuse" dau. of John Vyne to his mother Joyeuse daugh. of Thomas 
Cornnerde and to the right heirs of the said Thomas Cornerde. 3 A Mr. Harper 
was the next lord, and his son and heir George Harper sold the manor in 
1548 to Sir Thomas Barnardiston. Sir Thomas died in 1557 and we 
find Thomas Clopton and Anne his wife late widow of Sir Thomas Barnar- 
diston holding the manor and on Anne's death it passed to Sir Thomas 
Barnardiston son and heir of Sir Thomas. Amongst the Chancery Pro- 
ceedings in the time of Q. Eliz. is an Action respecting this manor (called 
Cornethall Manor), Thomas Barnardiston v. Richard Golding. 4 

The next lord we meet with is Sir Stephen Soame in 1609. He was 
the second son of Thomas Soame of Botley or Betley in Norfolk (by Anne 
his wife daughter and heir of Francis Knighton of Little Bradley and 
widow of Richard Le Hunt of Hunt's Hall in Bradley) and grandson of 
Thomas Soame. He was Sheriff of the City of London in 1589 and Lord 
Mayor in 1598. He purchased the Manor of Brickendon in the County of 
Hertford and this manor and other estates, and married Anne daughter 
of William Stone of Segenhoe in the County of Bedford (sister of Serjeant 
Stone) by whom he had six sons and five daughters Sir William Soame 
who was Sheriff of Suffolk 8 Car. I. ; Sir Stephen Soame of Hey don in Essex 
who was High Sheriff of the County 19 Jac. I. ; Sir Thomas Soame of 

1 Ancient Deeds, 12 Edw. II. C. 2197. ' Harl. 78 D. 12. 

* Harl. 80 H. 27. " C.P., ser. ii. B. xxvi. 3. 



56 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Throcking in Hertfordshire Knt. who was Sheriff of London 1635 and in 
1640 Alderman of that City and later M.P. for the City ; Nicholas, John, 
and Matthew. Sir Stephen Soame died May 23, 1619, aged 75, and by 
the inquisition taken after his death he was found to have died seised of the 
rectory and church of Hundon and advowson of the vicarage, the Manor 
and advowson of Herringswell, Manor or farm of Little Thurlow, Pudbroks, 
Temples and advowson of Little Thurlow, Manor of Wetheringset, Manor 
of Thorneylees, alias Thorney Campsey, Earl Stonham Manor and advowson, 
Freckenham Manor and advowson, and other places in Suffolk. He was 
buried in Little Thurlow Church with this inscription : 

Consecrated 
to the Memory 

of the Right Worshipfull Sr. Stephen 
Soame Kt. Lord Mayer of the Citie of 
London in the year of our Lord 1593 (? 8), and Mayor 

of the Staple there, almost 20 yeares, who was the 

Second Son of Thomas Soame of Botely, alias Betely 

in the County of Norfolcke, Gentleman, and Anne his Wife, 

Daughter and Heir of Francis Knighton, of Little Badley 

in the County of Suffolcke, Esquyer, and the Widowe of Richard 

Lehunt of the said Towne, and County, Gentleman. The said Sir Stephen 

in his life time re-edified and newly glazed the great North Window of 

the Cathedrall Church of St. Paul, in London. Newly settled and 

adorned at 

his own charge, the roof of Grocers Hall in that city, gave to the 
same Company i6A to be bestowed weekely in Bread upon the poor pri- 
soners of the Counter in the Poultry of London for ever. In this Towne of 
Little Thurlow, erected and buylt a Free-School with 2ol. maintenance 

for a Master and io/. for the Usher there yearly for ever, where he 
erected and endowed an Alms house besides for 9 poor People with main- 
tenance for ever, the maintenance of both places to be paid by annuity 
forth of the Mannour of Carleton in Cambridgeshire. He departed this 
life May 23 being Trinity Sunday 1619 at the age of three score and fif- 
teene yeares, at his Mansion house, by him formerly buylt in this 
Parish of Little Therlowe. 

There is a monument also in the same church erected to his wife Anne 
who died the 20 August 1622. On Sir Stephen Soame's death this manor 
passed to his second son Sir Stephen who had it with the Manor of Berkes- 
don of the gift of his father. He married Elizabeth daughter of Sir Thomas 
Playters of Sotterley by whom he had three sons and several daughters, 
Sir Peter Soame Bart., John Soame and Stephen Soame who both died 
without issue. Of the daughters Anne the eldest married Sir Gabriel 
How of Wotton under Edge in Gloucestershire, Knt., Jane the second 
was wife to Sir John Hoskins, Mary married Edward Fettiplace of Kingston 
in Berks, and Jane married Sir Edward Nicholl of Faxton in the county of 
Northampton Knt. Sir Stephen Soame the son died in 1639.' 

Release and Leases of Cornerd or Cornhall Manor will be found for 
I 534 J 536 and 1543 amongst the Harleian Charters in the British Museum. 2 

TANY'S MANOR. 

The last of the many manors of Bures is Tany's which was vested in 
the time of Edw. I. in Robert Aguillon and on his death passed to his 
daughter Isabel married to Hugh Lord Bardolf, from whom it passed like 
the main manor to the Poynings and was granted by Sir Michael de Poyn- 

1 See Overhall Manor, Cavendish in this * Harl. 80 H. 27, Harl. 76 H. 21, 24, 41. 
Hundred. 



BURES. 57 

ings in 1362 to Sir William Band. He died in 1375 without issue. The 
manor subsequently became vested in Sir Richard Waldegrave who died 
in 1435, after which the devolution of this manor is identical with that 
of Smallbridge Manor already given. 




58 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

CAVENDISH. 

the time of Edward the Confessor Cavendish was held by 
one Norman with soc and sac under the King as a manor 
with two carucates of land. There was a church living with 
3 acres of free land; also belonging to the manor were 5 
villeins, 8 bordars, 7 slaves, 2 ploughteams in demesne, 
3 belonging to the men, i mill, 10 acres of meadow, 3 
beasts, 40 sheep and 30 hogs. By the time of the Domesday 
Survey, there were two more ploughteams in demesne, 24 beasts in lieu of 3, 
no sheep in lieu of 40, 50 hogs in place of 30. To the manor belonged 
Rodenham, a hamlet with 2 carucates of land. There were there 5 villeins, 
4 bordars, 2 slaves, 2 ploughteams in demesne and i belonging to the men, 
half a mill and a church living with 20 acres of free land. The value was 
100 shillings, but by the time of the Domesday Survey the condition was 
somewhat different ; the villeins were reduced by two, the slaves by one 
and the ploughteams in demesne had come down to one, while the mill 
had gone altogether. The number of bordars had increased to 13 and the 
value to 10 pounds. Cavendish was half a league long and 4 quarentenes 
broad and paid in a gelt lod. The manor was held by Ralph de Limesi 
as the Domesday tenant in chief.' The rest of the lands specified in 
the Domesday Survey (though not at the time forming manors but sub- 
sequently composing the many manors of Cavendish) were as follows : 
(a) The lands of Richard son of Earl Gislebert who had 9 freemen under 
Wisgar by commendation and soc and sac holding 3 carucates of land, 5 
bordars, I slave, 3 ploughteams, 14 acres of meadow, 4 beasts, i horse, 
15 hogs and 46 sheep valued at 3 pounds. All were held by Roger de St. 
Germains under Richard." 

(6) Four several encroachments upon the King : ist Aluric brother 
of Edric and Wisgar' s man encroached on half of his brother's land, namely 
60 acres. At the time of the Domesday Survey Roger de Saint Germain 
held this as of Richard's fee, but the record states that it never belonged 
to that fee by commendation or soc. There were here a villein, a bordar, 
and an acre of meadow. 2nd Alwold had a freeman under Harold's com- 
mendation and in the Confessor's time soc and sac and even after the 
Conquest; but by the time of the Norman Survey Richard had encroached. 
The freemen here had one carucate of land, i ploughteam and a half 
and 2 acres of meadow valued at 20 shillings. 3rd Richard of Clare had 
encroached upon a freeman formerly under the Confessor but his pre- 
decessor in title had no interest whatever in him. This freeman had i 
carucate of land and formerly 4 villeins but then but 2, 7 bordars, formerly 
2 ploughteams then i only, and i belonging to the men, wood for 10 hogs 
and then a mill all valued at 20 shillings. 3 4th Ralph de Limesi held a 
freeman formerly under Harold with land which Edric the deacon who died 
with him in the battle of Hastings held and it was delivered to Baynard 
as a land holding. This Edgar added to Cavendish after Baynard lost it. 
At the time of the Domesday Survey Ralph de Limesi held it in the 
Hall demesne. 4 

OVERHALL MANOR. 

This was the land held prior to the Conquest by Norman and at the 
time of the Domesday Survey by Ralph de Limesi 5 who married Christina, 

1 Dom. ii. 428, 4286. Dom. ii. 449. 

Dom. ii. 3976. 5 See Sayham Hall Manor, Newton in 

' Dom. 4476, 448. this Hundred. 



CAVENDISH. 



59 



one of the sisters of Prince Edgar Atheling grandson of King Edmund 
Ironside who was brother of Edward the Confessor. He died in 1093 
and was succeeded by his son and heir Ralph who married Halewise and 
was succeeded by his son and heir Alan and he by his son and heir Gerard. 
Gerard de Limesi married Amy dau. of Trian de Hornelade of Bidun- 
Limesi, and had issue John de Limesi who married Alice dau. of Robert 
de Harcourt afterwards wife of Walleran E. of Warwick and died in 1198 
leaving a son Hugh who died in 1223 without issue. Gerard also had two 
daus. Basilia married to Sir Hugh de Odingsells who died in 1238 leaving 
3 sons Hugh, Gerard and Sir William de Odingsells of Warwickshire. Hugh 
the eldest son succeeded' and died without issue. Gerard the 2nd son 
succeeded and apparently on his death was succeeded by his brother 
the 3rd son Sir William de Odingsells who married Joan and had 
a son Sir William de Odingsells who inherited the one moiety of the manor 
which came from his grandfather Sir Hugh de Odingsells. His arms were : 
Ar. a fesse gu. ; in chief two mullets of the last. 

Gerard de Limesi's second dau. Alianore married David de Lindsay 
a Scot and the Barony of Limesi of which the lordship of this parish was a 
part became divided between Sir Hugh de Odyngseles and David de 
Lindsey. Daniel had by Alianore several children and David their eldest 
son was lord of a moiety of the manor in the reign of Hen. III. In 1219 
the King had the lands of David de Lindsey in his custody and on the 
Patent Rolls are letters concerning the presentation to a moiety of Caven- 
dish Church in consequence of a moiety of the manor being in the King's 
hands ;' while in 1223 a precept was directed to the Sheriff of the County 
to deliver to this David then in custody of the King of Scotland, seisin of 
all David's lands in his bailiwick which were detained because he had not done 
service to the King in his Welsh expedition. This David and his brothers 
all dying without issue his moiety in the lordship passed to Sir Henry de 
Pinkenny Knt, in consequence of his marriage with Alice sister and heir 
of David de Lindsey, and their son Sir Henry Pinkenny granted the same 
by deed to Sir William de Odyngselles'lord of the other moiety, the grand- 
son of the above Sir Hugh de Odyngselles who then became possessed of 
the entire manor. Sir William de Odyngeseles married Ela daughter of 
William Longspee Earl of Salisbury by whom he had issue Edmund who 
died without issue and 4 daughters his co-heirs amongst whom this lord- 
ship again became divided. Ida one dau. married John de Clinton, 
Margaret another married Sir John de Grey, Alice another married ist 
Maurice Caunton and 2ndly Ralph de Parham, Ela the 4th dau. married 
ist Sir Peter de Birningham knt. and 2ndly Sir Eustace le Poer Knt. This 
is the descent of the manor practically as given by Page who has clearly taken 
his account from what Blomefield says of the descent of the Manor of Oxburgh 
in Norfolk. Page has a little paragraph, however, on his own account, 
and it is this " the advowson and other lands in this parish passed in 
1370 to Sir John Cavendish who had previously in 1359 obtained the manor 
of Overhall in Cavendish by his marriage with Alice dau. and heiress of 
John de Odyngseles." He seems to forget that he has never mentioned 
any John de Odyngseles in his previous account nor, indeed, is there such 
a person in the pedigree given by Blomefield. Davy has a most confused 
list of lords, some with ridiculous dates, others without any at all, and he 
is apparently in hopeless confusion over the later descents of the Odyngseles 

1 H.R. ii. 142, 150. Pat. Rolls, 3 Hen. III. 5. 



60 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

family. The manor seems to have passed from Hugh de Odyngseles who 

in 1239 to his son William living in 1263, and from him to his son 
Willi.iin living in 1286, and gone to his son Edmund who died without 
ie. 

Hugh de Odyngseles was the next lord and died in 1305,' when he was 
succeeded by John Odingseles who in 1315 had licence to enfeoff Thomas 
de Wassingle of the manor held in chief and the latter was empowered to 
regrant to him and Emma his wife, and his heirs.* John Odingseles had a dau. 
Alice who married Sir John Cavendish. John Odingseles died in i353, J 
\vlu-n apparently Sir John Cavendish became lord of the manor in right 
of his wife. Davy says that Alice who married Sir John Cavendish was 
dau. and co-heir of Sir William Odyngseles and sister and co-heir of Edmund, 
but as he apparently makes this Sir Wm. to be the same Sir William who 
was living 47 Hen. III. one can hardly adopt the suggestion. 

There is a licence on the Originalia Rolls in 1358,' to John 
Wyngefeld and others to acquire "Overhall Manor in Cavendish," and this was 
carried out by a fine in the same year levied between John de Wynggefeld, 
Gilbert de Debenham and John de Cavendish and Alice his wife against 
John son of John de Odingseles. 5 It is quite possible that this was in 
contemplation of some settlement of the manor effected by John 
Cavendish and his wife by conveyance to trustees. 

Sir John Cavendish was a native of the parish and descended from a 
junior branch of the Gernon family who settling here assumed the name 
of the place. From the Close Rolls of the time of Hen. III. we learn that a 
Robert son of Simon de Cavendish was then engaged in a law suit respect- 
ing 6 acres of land in this place. 6 

Sir John Cavendish was Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench, 
and in 1370 a fine was levied of the advowson and sundry lands in Caven- 
dish against Sir John de Clinton Knt. Sir John Cavendish and Alice his wife. 
In 1380 Sir John Cavendish was elected Chancellor of the University of Cam- 
bridge and the next year he was commissioned to suppress the insurrection 
against the King. The great mover in the rebellion was Wat Tyler who 
marched at the head of his followers to London, where they broke into the 
Tower and murdered Simon of Sudbury, the Archbishop of Canterbury. 
Whilst the insurrection was raging in London many parts of the provinces 
were similarly disturbed. The populace in Suffolk were being led by one 
John Raw, a priest. The Chief Justice had been commissioned to suppress 
the insurrection in the City of York, but happening at this time to be in 
Suffolk he had the misfortune to fall into the hands of the rabble then 
exasperated by the intelligence of the death of their chief at the hands of 
Sir John's younger son John. He was dragged to Bury and there his 
head being struck off it was set upon the pillory of the market cross in 
the month of June 1381." His will is dated at Bury St. Edmunds on 
Monday after the Feast of Palm the previous year. By it he directed his 
body to be buried in the Church of Cavendish, near the body of Alice his 
late wife. He devised to Andrew Cavendish his son and heir his manors 
and lands in Cavendish, Pentlowe, Fakenham Aspes and Saxham. He 
left legacies to Rose the wife of his said son Andrew, to Margaret daughter 

1 Extent, I.P.M., 33 Edw. I. 74. O., 32 Edw. III. 24. 

Pat. Rolls, 9 Edw. II. pt. ii. 21 ; Feet of Fines, 31 and 32 Edw. III. 8. 

I.Q.D., 9 Edw. II. 90, ii Edw. II. Close Rolls, n Hen. III. 3. In dorso. 

74- ' I.P.M., 5 Rich. II. ii, 14. 
I.P.M.. 27 Edw. III. 60. 



CAVENDISH. 61 

to Andrew his said son, and appointed Robert de Swynbourne and John 
Rookswood sen. his executors. The will was proved the 26 August 1381. 
The son John referred to was one of the esquires to the body of Rich. II. 
and the incident of his dispatch of Wat Tyler in Smithfield after he had 
been stabbed by Sir William Wai worth is well known. For his zeal in 
this matter John Cavendish was knighted on the spot by the King and 
had settled upon him in perpetuity a pension of 40. The Chief Justice 
was succeeded by his son and heir Sir Andrew Cavendish. He represented 
the County of Suffolk in Parliament in 1371 and received for 41 days 
attendance the sum of 8. 43. In 1386 he was High Sheriff of Suffolk and 
Norfolk, and died in 1395,' when the manor passed to his widow Rose in 
dower, and William Cavendish son and heir of Sir Andrew conveyed the 
reversion by fine to his uncle William Cavendish and son and heir of John 
Cavendish the 2nd son of the Chief Justice. The two fines are thus 
entered : " William Cavendyssh of London v. William Cavendyssh son and 
heir of Sir Andrew Cavendyssh of Cavendish Manor called Overhalle with 
appurtenances which Robert Chichesley, William Olyver, John Shawe, 
and Thomas Haryngton held for the life of Rose wife of Andrew Cavendyssh," 
and " Robert Cavendyssh v. William Cavendyssh son and heir of Sir Andrew 
Cavendyssh of Cavendish Manor called Overhalle with appurtenances which 
Rosa wife of Andrew Cavendyssh held as her dowry." 8 

William Cavendish died in 1433 and was succeeded by his brother 
Robert Cavendish Serjeant at law. He died in 1438, without issue, 3 and 
was succeeded by his nephew Thomas Cavendish son of William the brother 
of Robert. A fine was levied of the manor in 1439 by William Norwold 
clerk, John Olney, Thomas Chalton, Thomas Batayle, William Flete, 
Mathew Fowecher, William Barthelmewe clerk and William Berneway v. 
William Nell and Alice his wife. 4 

Thomas Cavendish mortgaged the manor to John Smyth the elder 
and John Smyth the younger, as we learn from the early Chancery Proceed- 
ings in which are recorded an action by Thomas Cavendish and Catherine 
his wife against the Smyths. 5 

Thomas Cavendish died in 1477,* leaving an infant heir Thomas and 
the King took into his custody this manor. There is a grant by the King 
in 1483 on the Patent Rolls to Nicholas Lathell and Richard Williams of 
the custody rending to the King 10 marks yearly. 7 Thomas Cavendish 
the infant became Clerk of the Pipe in the Exchequer and married Alice 
daughter and co-heir of John Smith of Podbrook Hall in Cavendish. He died 
in 1524 and the manor passed to his eldest son and heir George Cavendish. In 
1543 a fine was levied by John Coxe and others against this George Caven- 
dish most likely on the occasion of some settlement of the manor. 8 The 
fine included Netherhall Manor as well as Overhall. This is the well-known 
Gentleman Usher of Cardinal Wolsey and his faithful friend and historian. 
He died about 1561 when the manor passed to his son and heir William 
Cavendish who died the following year. The manor was in 1565 released 
to William Cavendish of London, mercer. It must have been during his 

' I.P.M., 18 Rich. II., ii Hen. IV. 5. 6 I.P.M., 17 Edw. IV. 4; 2oEdw. IV. i. 

' Feet of Fines, 13 Hen. IV. 30, 31. 'Pat. Rolls, i Rich. III. pt. v. i, 8; 

3 I.P.M.. 17 Hen. VI. 16. Harl. 433. 

Feet of Fines, 18 Hen. VI. 16. 8 Fine, Trin. 35 Hen. VIII. 

* E.C.P., 5 Edw. IV. , 49 Hen. VI. 31, 

255, 33, 49: Ib. 38 Hen. VI.- 

5 Edw. IV. 27, 142. 



62 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

holding of the lordship that a claim was made by Rafe Cavendyshe against 
Thomas Griggs and others as to lands in Cavendish held of the Manor of 
" Overhall Cavendyshe " of which manor William Cavendyshe plaintiff's 
father is said to have been lord " and devised to plaintiff by Thomas 
Fowler." 

This is amongst the Early Chancery Proceedings. 1 In 1569 the manor 
was sold by William Cavendish to Robert Downes of London * who in 1573 
sold it to John Felton of Overchrysal co. Essex. 1 

In the following year John Felton sold the manor to George Howe of 
Sudbury, clothier, 4 and in 1601 the manor passed to Bridget Cracherode 
daughter of Mathew Cracherode of Cavendish. Matthew Cracherode son 
and heir succeeded in 1615 and in 1622 the manor became the property by 
purchase of Sir Stephen Soame of Heyden co. Essex. 5 He died in 1639 
and was succeeded by his son and heir Sir Peter Soame. Sir Peter 
succeeded to the Baronetcy of his relative Sir William Soame of Little 
Thurlow on his death without issue, and at the coronation of King James II. 
put in a claim ad manutergium tenendum allocutur (sic), sed constitutio 
deputati refertur beneplacito Regis. Quoad residuum clamei non allocutur, 
et post Rex constituit Anthonium comitum Kent, ad exequendum officium 
in jure Petri. This claim appears in a petition to Francis lord Guild- 
ford and others, commissioners for receiving claims, to hold the basin and 
ewer for a moiety of the manor of Heydon and the towel for the other 
moiety, and that he might be admitted in person, or by a proper deputy 
to perform the office, and to have all the profits belonging to that service. 
He married Susanna youngest daughter of Ralph Freeman of Aspeden 
Hall in Hertfordshire by whom he had two sons Sir Peter Soame his 
successor in the Baronetage, and Freeman Soame ; and two daughters 
Susan married to Sir Cane James of Creshall in Essex Bart, and Elizabeth. 
The arms of the Soame family are : Gules, a chevron, between three mallets, 
or. Sir Peter Soame the father did not transmit this manor to his son, 
for in 1679 he sold it to Isaac Fuller of Cavendish grocer who in 1701 sold 
the same to William Basset of Long Melford clothier. In 1730 it was 
purchased by Samuel Thomas of Lavenham and was sold by his heir in 
1791 to Thomas Ruggles a bencher of Lincoln's Inn, who dying in 1813 
left by his wife Jane Anne daughter of John Freeland of Cobham co. Surrey 
a son John Ruggles of Spains Hall, Essex, who was High Sheriff of Suffolk 
in 1829. In 1827 he took the name of Brise and married Catherine daughter 
of John Haynes Harrison of Copford Hall Colchester by whom he had 
issue with two daughters a son Samuel Brise Ruggles Brise who on the 
death of his father in Sept. 1852 succeeded to the lordship. He married 
Marianne Weyland 4th daughter of Sir Edward Bowyer Smyth Bart. 
John Yelloly M.D. physician to George IV. and son of John a merchant 
of Alnwick by Jane daughter of George Dawson of Little Mill purchased 
Cavendish Hall about i^o-i, but apparently did not at the time acquire 
the manor, as this is stated to have been vested in 1844 in J. R. Brise and 
as late as 1855 m Colonel S. B. Ruggles Brise. It is true the statement 
vaguely is that they were lords of the " Manor of Cavendish," and in 1855 
in the same work containing the statement as to Col. Brise being lord of 
Cavendish we find it stated that the manors of Overhall and Netherhall 

1 C.P. i. 210. Fine, Easter 16 Eliz. 

Fine, Mich. 7 Eliz. 5 See Smallbridge Manor, Bures, in 

' Fine, Mich. 15 Eliz. this Hundred. 



CAVENDISH. 63 

were owned by Samuel Tyssen Yelloly who was the second son of Dr. John 
Yelloly (who had died at Cavendish Hall the 31 Jan. 1842) by Sarah his 
wife daughter of Samuel Tyssen of Narborough Hall, Norfolk. Samuel 
Tyssen Yelloly married Mary Ellis daughter of the Rev. Edward Bull 6th son 
of John Bull of Pentlow, Essex by Margaret Toundron his wife and died 
at Cavendish Hall in 1860 when the manor or some interest therein 
passed to his son and heir John S. De Beauvoir Yelloly R.N. for he and Miss 
E. S. R. Yelloly are stated to have owned the Manors of Overhall and 
Netherhall in 1885 and the same are now stated to be in John Yelloly. 

DE GREY'S MANOR. 

On the marriage of Sir John de Grey of Rotherfield with Margaret 
one of the daughters and co-heirs of Sir William Odingsels as mentioned 
under the account of the Manor of Overhall, or rather upon Sir William's 
death a portion of the land which belonged to him seems to have passed 
to Sir John De Grey in right of his wife and to have been thenceforth held 
as a separate manor, or possibly the holding of Sir John was only increased, 
for it must be remembered that his father William de Grey had already 
a considerable estate in Cavendish in respect of which he had a grant of 
free warren in 1285.' The Greys are usually supposed to be descendants 
of Arnulph lord of Gray in Normandy who vr&s living about 970, but some 
have derived them from the Picard family of Croy. They no doubt had 
an ancestor Auschetil de Grai who came over with the Conqueror. 

Sir John de Grey was the son and heir of William de Grey the 3rd son 
of Henry de Grey a great favourite with Richard I. and also of his successors 
John and Hen. III. Sir Thomas de Grey the son and heir of Sir John and 
Margaret married Alice daughter and sole heiress of Sir Richard de Corn- 
herd Knt. 2 It is said that on this match Sir Thomas finding so many bearing 
his own paternal arms assumed those of Cornherd which he and his descen- 
dants continued to bear as their arms, viz. : Az. a fesse between two chevrons 
or., which arms it is further said the Cornherds had in imitation of the 
Bainard's their superior lords, the field and chevrons only differing in 
colour. 

In 1302 Thomas de Grey had a grant of free warren in respect of his 
Cavendish estate, 3 and in 1321 he and Alice his wife held divers lands in 
Great Cornard of Richard Cornerd the wife's father and also this manor 
called " Cavendish Manor " worth 10. 13. 4. at one fee, and also of William 
de Butevyler one messuage, one carucate and 60 acres of land, one acre 
of meadow and IDS. rent in Little Cornard, Bures, Newton, Walding- 
field, Illegh, Preston, Thorpe and Lillesey worth 3 per annum, at the 4th 
part of a fee, and they also held more of the inheritance of the said Alice a 
messuage and one carucate of land in Barnardeston of Arnold de Mounteney 
by the service of one halfpenny tithe scutage when laid which house and 
carucate was worth 6. 13. 4. per annum. Thomas de Grey died in I32i 4 
leaving Alice his wife surviving, and in 1322 she settled lands on her sons 
Roger and John. Sir Thomas de Grey Knt. their eldest son and heir 
succeeded and married ist Isabel eldest daughter and co-heir of Fulk 
Baynard of Merton and settled at Merton in the ancient seat of the Bay- 
nards. He married 2ndly Alice who survived him. Sir Roger de Grey 

1 Chart. Rolls, 13 Edw. I. 120. 3 Chart. Rolls, 30 Edw. I. 33. 

See Cawston or Caxton's Manor, Little ' I.P.M., 15 Edw. II. 22. 
Cornard in this Hundred. 



64 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

the son of Sir Thomas succeeded and by will proved in 1371 he declared 
that he had enfeoffcd Sir William Bawde Priest and others of his Manors of 
Cav'ndi-li. I.ittlc l oriKTth and Preston. The will is dated at Dover, and 
i^ in In mil IK- dinrts his father Sir Thomas de Grey's debts to be 
paid and that Alice his wife should have an annuity of 20 marks per annum 
and Sir Thomas Grey his brother another of the same sum. On Sir Roger 
de Grey's death which occurred in 1371' he was succeeded by his son and 
lu -ir Thomas who died a minor in 1383' having had two sisters Margaret 
married to Sir Thomas Shardelowe but had died the year before her brother 
without issue, and Joan married to Thomas Pynckbeke who had a son 
Richard who died without issue. On the 15 May 21 Rich. II. [1398] a writ 
was issued to enquire of whom the manor of Greys in Cavendish was held 
the reversion of which Thomas late Duke of Gloucester acquired in fee 
simple of Master Thomas Grey clerk and which reversion by reason of the 
said Duke's forfeiture pertained to the King. 3 The manor then passed to 
Agnes Lady Bardolph wife of Sir Thomas Mortimer eldest daughter of Sir 
Michael Poynings and was sold by her to Robert Lord Poynings and others 
in 1402. It was granted by the Crown to Sir John Pelham in 1404, but 
appears in the reign of Hen. VI. to be again in the Crown and, indeed, in 
that reign to have been regarded as part of the possessions of the Duchy 
of Lancaster, for Ministers' accounts of the manor " land of the Duchy of 
Lancaster," 30 to 31 Hen. VI. [1452-3] will be found in the Public Record 
Office. 4 

In 1461 there is a grant on the Patent Rolls to Thomas Montgomery 
King's Knt. by mainprise of John Clopton and Thomas Grene of the custody 
of the King's Manor of Greyes in Cavendish with courts leet, etc., for 12 
years rending to the King 23. 6. 8. yearly and supporting all charges, 5 
and also from the same Rolls for the same year, we learn that a Com- 
mission was issued to enquire into a complaint made by Henry Earl of 
Essex and others that whereas they were lately seised of the Manor of 
Greys in their demesne as of fee in time of peace in the reign of Hen. VI. 
and received esplees thereby, they were unjustly disseised by Richard 
late Duke of York. 6 

We do find land in Cavendish mentioned in the Inquisition post 
mortem of Richard Duke of York, father of the King in 1463 .' It included 
Chelfordes in Cavendish and Paddokes mill, a water mill there and other 
land but not this manor apparently, though Davy makes this Richard Duke 
of York lord of the manor in 1463, doubtfully however making the statement. 
Certainly the following year we find the manor vested in, and Grey's Hall 
occupied by, Thomas son of Thomas Colt of Carlisle from whom the manor 
acquired the name of Colt's Hall under which designation it is still known. 
A fine was levied of the manor in 1464 by Sir John Markham, Henry Sote- 
hill and John Otre against Thomas Colt and Joan his wife. 8 Thomas Colt 
the purchaser was a great favourite of Edward IV. He was Chancellor 
of the Exchequer and one of the Privy Council and married Joan daughter 
and heir of John Trusbutt of Holm in Norf. 9 He died the loth Aug. 1474, 

I.P.M., 45 Edw. III. 27. J Pat. Rolls, i Edw. IV. pt. iii. 19. 

I.P.M., 46 Edw. III. 2nd nos. 17 ; 7 Rich. ' Pat. Rolls, i Edw. IV. pt. iv. cjd. 

I1-4I- ' I.P.M., 3 Edw. IV. 14. 

Extent. Thomas Duke of Gloucester ' Feet of Fines, 4 Edw. IV. 6. 

for Master Thomas Grey. I.P.M., See Pedigree of Trussbutts, Blomefield's, 
22 Rich. II. 79. Norf. 8vo. Ed. vii. 405. 

Bundle 430, No. 6905, 6907. 



CAVENDISH. 65 

and was buried at Roydon in Essex, when the manor passed to his widow 
Joan. She remarried Sir William Parr and died on Monday before the 
feast of St. Lawrence Anno 13 Edw. IV. 1 when the manor passed to her 
son and heir John Colt of New Hall Essex and Colt's Hall in Cavendish. 
He was the ward of Sir William Parr in the ist Hen. VII. and married 
ist Jane dau. of Sir John Ellington of Middlesex and andly Mary dau. of Sir 
John Alne. He died the 22nd Oct. 1521 when the manor passed to his 
son George Colt of Long Melford who took to wife Elizabeth dau. of Henry 
Mac William of Stambourn in Essex and dying the n March 1578 was 
succeeded by his son Henry who married ist Elizabeth dau. of John 
Coninsby of North Mimms in Hertfordshire and 2ndly Margaret dau. 
of John Heath of Netherhall in Essex. By his first wife he was 
father of Sir George Colt 2 who married Mary daughter of William Poley 
of Boxstead and dying the 6th Jan. 1616 was succeeded by his eldest 
son and heir Sir Henry Colt. Sir Henry married Bridget dau. of 
Sir William Kingsmill of Sidmanton co. Hants and died abroad the 
27 March 1635 seised of the manor of " Greys alias Colts Hall in Caven- 
dish " and Poslingford and was succeeded by his eldest son George Colt. 
He married Elizabeth eldest daughter and co-heir of John Button of Sher- 
borne in Gloucestershire. George Colt devoted his fortune to the service 
of Chas. I. and Chas. II. and Page says sold his property in Cavendish and 
several other good estates. He was drowned at sea from off a Dutch 
vessel January 20, 1658, and, according to Davy, the manor passed to his 
son and heir John Dutton Colt M.P. for Leominster who married ist Mary 
d. and h. of John Booth of Letton co. Hereford and 2ndly Margaret relict 
of John Arnold of Monmouth. John Dutton Colt sold the manor. The 
Colt arms were : Argent, a fesse between three colts in full speed, sable. 

The manor seems to have passed to the Jennens of Acton Place and 
upon the death of William Jennens in 1798 descended to his heir at law 
and is now vested in Richard George Penn Curzon-Howe, 4th Earl Howe. 
For the devolution, see Rokewood Manor, Acton in this Hundred. 

NETHERHALL MANOR. 

In 1275 Margaret wife of Roger de Tryanton or Trehaupton held lands 
here in chief of the King at half a Knight's fee. 3 There is an action by 
Nicholas Rann against an Adam (or Ada) de Trehaupton as to a messuage 
in Cavendish in 1281.* 

It seems, however, that this particular manor or at least 2 messuages 
a carucate of land ro acres of meadow, 14 acres of pasture and 32 acres of 
wood were held by Henry de Pynkeneye in chief of Hen. III. and he sold 
the same without licence to William de Culworth and Margery his wife 
from whom the same passed to Adam de Trehaupton the son and heir of 
Margery and then on to John de Trehaupton son and heir of Adam. In 
1343 the trespass committed by entering without licence was pardoned 
and John permitted to retain. 5 

1 Inquisition p.m. is of Joan wife of 3 H.R. ii. 142, 150. 

Sir William Parre, 15 Edw. IV. " Pat. Rolls, 9 Edw. I. 2$d. 

34. 5 Pat. Rolls, 17 Edw. III. pt. ii, 5. 

* A Fine of the manor was levied in 1601 

by John Helham and others against 

this Sir George Colt and others 

(Fine, Easter, 43 Elk.). 



66 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

John de Trehaupton granted the manor, then stated to consist of 51 
acres of land, ij acres of pasture and 2\ acres of wood to William de 
Genevyll and died in 1350.' 

William de Genevyll died before 1364 leaving two daughters and 
co-heirs Beatrice wife of John Wegge of Clare and Elizabeth wife of William 
Andrew of Sproughton, for in that year there is an order on the Originalia 
Rolls to take fealty of Beatrice and Wm. Andrew as to the land above 
held of the King in chief of the grant of John de Trehaupton.' Davy 
makes the singular mistake of treating Beatrice and Elizabeth the daughters 
of Genevyll as daughters of John de Trehaupton. 

Thomas Andrew son and heir of Elizabeth wife of William Andrew 
died seised (apparently then of 130 acres of land) in I437- 3 It seems he 
had but a moiety of the manor, in fact a few years later in 1443,' a moiety 
of the manor is included in the Inquisition p.m. of Richard Wegge 
(probably the son of the above John Wegge) and Isabel his wife. 

In 1438 Margaret Andrew had licence to enfeoff John Jenney of a 4th 
part of the manor. On Richard Wegge's death in 1443 a moiety of the manor 
passed to Margaret his daughter and heir who had married Richard 
Clavering and the following year Richard Clavering had a moiety by grant 
from the Crown. He was succeeded by his son and heir John Clavering. 
In 1452 we meet with a fine levied of a moiety of the manor by John Smyth, 
John Clopton, John Denston, William Chapman and Roger Moryell against 
Richard Clavering of London and John Clavering son and heir of Richard 
Clavering. 5 In 1543 this manor was included in the fine already referred 
to in the account of Overhall Manor levied by John Coxe and others against 
George Cavendish. 6 

The next lord was Sir John Went worth of Codham, but by 
what title does not appear. In 1571 the manor was vested in Anne 
daughter and co-heir of Sir John Wentworth and wife of Henry 
Howard Lord Maltravers and afterwards of Sir William Dean who 
died in 1580. In 1588 George Baxter and others had licence to alien a 
moiety of this manor to Matthew Cracherode and Mary his wife daughter 
of John Smith of Cavendish, and Matthew Cracherode held in 1609. Amongst 
the Exchequer Deposition in 1595 we see there was an action as to the 
Manor of Netherhall and lands called ' The Rushe Pasture ' in Burrefelde 
and Padbrook St. and as to lands given to maintain a chantry priest or 
priests in Cavendish Church. The action was between William Typpes 
and others and George Colt and others. 7 

Matthew Cracherode died in 1615 and his son apparently sold 
the manor to Sir Stephen Soame who dying in 1639 was succeeded 
by his son and heir Sir Peter Soame. In 1706 the manor belonged 
to Sir Thomas Robinson and he sold it to John Moore who dying in 1753 
it passed to his son Henry Moore who died unmarried in 1769 when it 
passed to his brother Richard Moore who died in 1782 and was succeeded 
by Richard Moore his son and heir who sold the manor and died in 1826. 

In 1855 the manor belonged to Samuel Tyssen Yelloby who died in 
1860 and has since passed in the same course as the manor of Overhall, 
being now vested in John Yelloby. 

' I.P.M., 24 Edw. III. 62. ' Feet of Fines, 30 Hen. VI. 34. 

O., 38 Edw. III. 5. Fine, Trin. 35 Hen. VIII. 

' I.P.M., 15 Hen. VI. 38. ' Exch. dep. Bury St. Edmunds, 38 Eliz. 

I.P.M., 21 Hen. VI. 24. 



CAVENDISH. 67 

NEWHALL MANOR. 

In 1463 Richard Duke of York seems to have held a third part of this 
manor, 1 and in 1475 Thomas Colt lord of the Manor of Greys died seised 
of it. The subsequent devolution is identical with that of Grey's al. 
Colt's Hall Manor. 

HOUGHTON HALL MANOR. 

In 1548 Sir John Wentworth of Codham was lord, and the manor passed 
to his daughter and heir Anne, and from her, as mentioned in the next manor 
dealt with, down to William Villiers Lord Grandison who died in 1643. 
Anthony Deane was lord in 1669, and by 1706 the manor was vested in 
Sir Thomas Robinson. 2 He in that year sold it to John Moore of Kent- 
well Hall. Amongst the Exchequer Deposition is one in a suit in 1710 
between Henry James, D.D., and Henry Grey respecting the rectory and 
parish church of Cavendish, and the farm or estates called Overhall, Impey- 
hall and Houghton Hall, and as to Tithes. 3 John Moore died in 1714 
when the manor passed to his nephew John Moore who died in 
1753, and was succeeded by his son and heir Richard Moore who 
died in 1782, and was succeeded by his son and heir Richard Moore 
who sold the manor and died in 1826. In 1847 the manor was vested in 
Charles Heigham and in 1885 belonged with the manors of Bulley Hall 
and Impey to George H. Goodchild. 

BULLEY HALL MANOR. 

This manor was vested in Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester and Hert- 
ford who died in 1314." It is mentioned in the Inquis. p.m. of John Botiller 
in I40Q. 5 From the Botelers the manor passed to the Cavendishs and 
there are two fines probably connected with the transfer, one in 1435 and 
the other in 1438. Robert Cavendysh and John Cauvendysh and others 
v. John Botelere 6 and Robert Cavendish and Elizabeth his wife v. John 
Botelere of the manor and other hereditaments which Robert Cavendish, 
William Clopton and others held for life of the said Robert. 7 Later the manor 
belonged to Henry Wentworth of Codham who died in 1482 8 when it passed 
to his son and heir Roger at whose death it passed to his son and heir Sir 
John Wentworth who died leaving a daughter Anne married rst to Sir 
Hugh Rich, son and heir of Richard Lord Rich, 2ndly to Henry Howard Lord 
Maltravers son and heir of Henry Fitz Alan Earl of Arundel and 3rdly to 
Sir William Dean of Deans Hall in Great Maplestead in Essex. This 
heiress of Sir John Wentworth had a great inheritance the Manors of 
Wiston, of Overhall and Netherhall in Poslingford, and Cavendish, 
Impeys, and Bulley Hall. In 19 Eliz. by Indenture September 24, she 
demised this manor and others to Trustees for 200 years next after her 
death. She died and was buried at Gosfield in Essex January roth 1580, 
when the manor passed to Sir Edward Villiers who married Barbara eldest 

' I.P.M., 3 Edw. IV. 14. I.P.M., 19 Hen. IV. 4. 

See Cockfield Hall Manor and Monks 6 p eet o j Fi nes> ^ Hen. VI. 20. 
Melford Manor. Melford, in this ,- Tr T , T 

Hundred. ' Feet of Fmes > l6 Hen " VL 2t 

3 At Newmarket 1710. Exch. dep. ' I.P.M., 22 Edw. IV. u. 

4 I.P.M., 8 Edw. II. 68, see Inquis. p.m. 

on Richard de Clare Earl of 
Gloucester. I.P.M., 47 Hen. III. 34. 



68 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

daughter of Sir John St. John of Lidiard Tregoze co. Wilts. He was 
president of Munster in Ireland on the decease of the Earl of Thomond. He 
died the 7th Sept. 1626 lamented more deeply, it is said, " than any governor 
who had previously ruled the province " and was interred in the Earl of Cork's 
Chapel in Youghal. By an inquisition post mortem January 14, 7 Charles I. 
taken at Ipswich it was found that Sir Edward Villiers Knt. had died seised of 
t he Manors of Overhall and Netherhall in Poslingford and the Manors of Impeys 
and Bulley Hall, &c., and that by Barbara his wife daughter of Sir John 
St. John he had left a son and heir William Villiers aged 20 in 1625. The 
will of Sir Edward Villiers bears date the 3rd August 1625. The son 
William Villiers became Lord Grandison in 1630 on the death of his 
uncle. Actively espousing the Royal cause he received a wound at the 
seige of Bristol the 26 July 1643 of which he died in the following month 
at Oxford, leaving by Mary daughter of Paul Viscount Bayning an only 
daughter Barbara wife of Roger Palmer Earl of Castlemame in Ireland 
and afterwards Duchess of Cleveland and mistress of Charles II. 

The manor does not seem to have come down to Barbara but to have 
passed to Sir Thomas Robinson who died seised in 1683 and was succeeded 
by his son and heir Sir Lumley Robinson of Kentwell Hall who died the 
following year and was succeeded by Sir Thomas, who sold the manor to 
John Moore who died in 1753 after which the devolution is identical with 
that of Netherhall. 

IMPEY OR IMPSEY HALL OR QUIPSEY HALL. 

This manor also belonged to Sir John Cavendish the Lord Chief Justice 
who was murdered in 1381 and passed to his son Sir Andrew Cavendish 
who died in 1395 when it passed to his son and heir William. It is 
specifically mentioned as " Impeye " in the Inquis. p.m. of Sir Andrew 
Cavendish 1 and a fine was levied of the manor in 1433 by William Clopton, 
Robert Cavendysh, John Harleston, Clement Deneston clerk, Thomas 
Milde, Thomas Hegham, Richard Alrede and John Smyth clerk against 
Joan Cavendyssh who was wife of John Wylden. 1 Later it passed to Sir 
John Wentworth and from him descended as mentioned in the account 
of the last manor to Wm. Villiers son of Sir Edward Villiers who died in 
1626 after which the devolution is identical with the Manor of Houghton 
Hall. 

KENSINGS OR KESSINGS HALL MANOR. 

This belonged to Sir John Cavendish the Lord Chief Justice who was 
murdered in 1381 and passed to his son Sir Andrew who died in 1394 and 
subsequently to his son and heir William Cavendish. The manor is 
specifically mentioned as " Kemsynge " in the Inquis. p.m. of Sir Andrew 
Cavendish.' The next lord we meet with is Richard de Cornhearth (Corn- 
hith) in 1398,* and the next another Richard de Cornerth (Croniworthe) 
in 1425.' 

In 1548 this manor was vested in John Smyth. Amongst the State 
Papers of Henry VIII. is a grant to John Smyth of livery of lands in Caven- 
dish as son and heir of John Smyth. 6 It passed to John Colt who died 
seised in 1599 when it went to his son and heir Thomas Colt. In 1609 the 
manor was vested in John Seath or Death. 

I.P.M., 18 Rich. II. ii ; H Hen. IV. 5. I.P.M., 22 Rich. II. 34. 

Feet of Fines, n Hen. VI. 33. ' I.P.M., 3 Hen. VI. 32. 

> I.P.M., 18 Rich. II. ii ; H Hen. IV. 5. State Papers, 1542, 443 (51). 



CAVENDISH. 69 

PEYTON'S MANOR. 

This manor in 1298 was held by John de Peyton who also had a grant 
of free warren. 1 It subsequently devolved on Thomas Colt who died seised 
in 1475, and henceforth it devolved together with Grey's or Colt's Hall 
Manor. 

PECHE'S OR PECHY'S MANOR. 

This was held by John Peche son of John Peche who conveyed lands 
here to Sir John de Peyton. It subsequently passed to Richard Duke 
of York who died seised of it in 1463,* and later vested in Thomas Colt who 
died in 1475, and then devolved in a like manner as Grey's or Colt's Hall 
Manor. 

MORE HALL MANOR. 

Edward Copley died seised in 1609 and was succeeded by his son and 
heir Edward Copley who had livery of his estates in 1622. We learn nothing 
further respecting this manor. 

COLLINGHAM HALL MANOR. 

This was the inheritance of Sir John Cavendish the Lord Chief Justice 
so brutally murdered in 1381. He was succeeded by his son Sir Andrew 
Cavendish and he by his son William Cavendish in 1394. It is specifically 
mentioned in the Inquisition post morten of Sir Andrew Cavendish. 3 

It was in 1484 granted as part of the endowment of a chantry in St. 
Bartholomew the Less in London known as the Fry Chantry 4 and on the 
suppression of the religious houses came to the Crown. 

Edward Copley upon founding a school endowed it with this manor, 
it is said, and in 1609 it passed to the Governors of the Free School at Bury. 

STANSFIELD HALL MANOR. 

This manor we find mentioned in a Fine in 1637 levied by Matthew 
Abbott and it appears to have previously belonged to his father Richard 
Abbott. 5 

A "Cavendish Manor " was the subject of a Fine levied in 1395 by Sir 
Richard Waldegrave, Sir Robert Carbonell, Thomas Foryby clerk and Wm. 
Skrene against Sir William Papworth and Alice his wife. 6 

A paper on Grey's Hall in Cavendish will be found in the Proceedings 
of the Suffolk Institute vol. vi. 23 and on the Old House of Overhall in 
Cavendish (read on a visit of the Institute in 1893) in vol. viii. p. 261. Also 
notices of the Cavendish Family while possessed of the manor by Thomas 
Ruggles in Archaeologia vol. xi. p. 50. Notes of the Family also will be 
found in vol. i. of the Suffolk Institute p. 225 and Memoirs of the family 
by Dr. Kennett 1703, 8vo. 



' Chart. Rolls, 26 Edw. I. 5. * Harl. 55 H. 25. 

I.P.M., 3 Edw. IV. 14. 5 14 Nov. 13 Car. I. pt. iii. 34. 

> I.P.M., 18 Rich. II. n ; n Hen. IV. 5. 6 Feet of Fines, 19 Rich. II. 28. 




70 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



CHILTON. 

N Saxon times Godwin, Alfer's son, held with soc 2 carucates 
of land as a manor. There was a church living with 5 acres 
of free land and i villein, 3 bordars, 4 slaves, 2 plough- 
teams in demesne and among the men, 5 acres of meadow, 
3 hogs and 80 sheep. This manor was at the time of the 
Domesday Survey held by Walter son of Aubrey of Robert 
Malet with very slight difference of detail ; 3 of the slaves 
had disappeared and there were but half the number of sheep. 

Three freemen held in the time of the Confessor, under Godwin, by 
commendation and soc, 40 acres of land and i acre of meadow with one 
ploughteam amongst the lot ; and these freemen were valued at 12 shillings, 
but their value by the time of the Norman Survey had come down to 7 
shillings. At the same time the manor itself which was formerly valued 
at 20 shillings had gone up to 40 shillings. 

It was 4 quarentenes long and 3 broad and paid in a gelt $d. whoever 
held the same.' 

The Domesday tenant in chief was the son of William Malet one of 
the Conqueror's companions to whom the body of Harold was committed 
for burial after the battle of Hastings. William was appointed governor 
of York Castle built by William the ist in 1068. Robert Malet was the 
son of this William by Heselia his wife and was also present at the battle 
of Hastings and he is depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry seated on one side 
of Duke William who has his brother Odo the bishop on the other. He 
was the founder of the Benedictine priory at Eye, and Blomefield says 
"this Robert was Great Chamberlain of England under King Henry I. ; 
but in the second year of that King was banished and deprived of his 
possessions for adhering to Robert Curtois, that King's eldest brother 
Duke of Normandy."* 

CHILTON MANOR als. WALDINGFIELD HALL. 
CARBONELS WITH CHILTON MANOR. 

Chilton has been generally considered a hamlet of Great Waldingfield 
and the rector of that parish received a certain portion of the tithes of 
Chilton, but it is now a separate parish in Sudbury union. The lordship 
of Chilton in the time of Hen. II. belonged to William Carbonel who died 
leaving an infant heir and a widow Alice who remarried Richard Aguilon. 
There is a deed still in existence amongst the Bodleian Charters being a grant 
by William de Huntingfield to this Richard Aguilon or Agelliun and Alice his 
wife of the custody of the lands and heir of William Carbunel " formerly 
husband of the said Alice," also of the Manor of Chilton in dower for the 
term of the life of the said Alice. 5 

There is in the same collection a charter of earlier date, c. 1180 (but ?) 
being a grant by Roger son of William de Huntingfield to Gilbert Carbonel 
of land in Chilton, Bures and Wendeshalam. 4 

At the end of the i2th century we meet with a grant by this Gilbert 
' Karbunel ' to Geoffrey his son of the whole of his land in Chilton with 
two men of Middletune pertaining to the same land for his service and 

Dorc. ii. 304. c . 1210-20 Bodl. Suff. Ch. 268. 

8w> Ed. vol. viii. 341. Bodl. Suff. Ch. 267. 



CHILTON. 7I 

homage and his money, viz., gold and silver, which he gave to them with 
covenants for an exchange under certain conditions. 1 

And we find a grant made about the same time or a little later by 
Sampson Abbot of St. Edmund to William Carbonel of a certain liberty 
which was called Infangenethef in Chilton which was of the liberty of Eye 
at an annual rent of lib. of white incense. 2 In 1244 Sir Geoffrey Carbonel 
held a knight's fee here, and in 1276 Robert Carbunel brought an action 
against Nicholas le Ram and others touching a fosse destroyed here, 3 and 
the following year Richard Carbonel had a grant of free warren. 4 John de 
Carbonel was lord about 1278 and died in 1303 being succeeded by his son 
and heir Thomas who died in 1312 when the manor passed to his widow 
Elizabeth who lived till 1325. John de Carbonel son of Thomas succeeded 
and died in I333 5 leaving a daughter Alice married to Ralph Boteler or 
Butler who left a daughter Margaret married to Thomas Boteler. 

Margaret Boteler had a grant of free warren in I393 6 and had a son 
Sir Andrew Boteler who had seisin in 1413. His will is dated 1429 and he 
died the following year leaving his widow Katherine who was a dau. of 
Sir William Philip surviving. Margery daughter and heir of Sir Andrew 
Boteler married William Crane of Stonham and thus carried this manor 
into that ancient and knightly family. William Crane took for his 2nd 
wife Anne d. of William Forrecy (Ferrers) and was succeeded by his son 
and heir Robert Crane of Chilton and Stonham. The feoffment of the 
manor to Robert Crane was from John Clopton and others in 1439 and will 
be found amongst the Bodleian Charters. 7 He married ist Agnes d. of 
Thomas Singleton of Stonham Jernegan and 2ndly Agnes d. of Tho. Greene 
of Creting. On his death the manor passed to his s. and h. Robert 
Crane who married ist Isabell d. of Robert Darcy of Maiden Essex. 

Amongst the Bodleian Rolls will be found the record of a suit in 1470 
between this Robert Crane and Isabell his wife against Ralph West and 
Katherine his wife concerning a toft and 7 acres of land in Chilton. 8 Robert 
Crane married 2ndly Anne daughter of Sir Andrew Egard or Ogard of Buck- 
enham Knt. and died the 23rd or 24th Oct. 1500,' and there is or was a monu- 
ment in the Chilton Church to the two, and also to George Crane their son who 
died without issue in 1491 . The arms of the Cranes were : Ar. a fesse between 
three crosses bottonee fitchee, gu. Robert Crane was succeeded by his 
brother and heir John Crane who married Agnes d. of Sir John Calthorp 
Knt. and died in 1505 when he was succeeded by his son and heir Robert. 
There is amongst the Bodleian Charters an Indenture made the 14 April 
24 Hen. VII. [1509] by which this Robert Crane demised to John Coole 
of Sudbury, mercer, a croft of arable land, &c., in Chilton for 20 years at 
an annual rent of 2os. gd.' There is also in the same collection a grant in 
1526 by Isabella widow of Robert Siday of Great Waldingfield and Ralph 
Parcar to this Robert Crane and others of a tenement with a croft of land 
in Chilton," and a lease by him dated the 4 Sept. 19 Hen. VIII. to William 
Jervis of Sudbury of a close containing 7 acres in Chilton for 30 years at an 
annual rent of IDS." also a lease the 4 March 24 Hen. VIII. [1532] by this 

Bodl. Suff. Ch. 266 c. 1180. Bodl. Suff. Rolls 7. 

c. 1182 Bodl. Suff. Ch. 6. ' I.P.M., 16 Hen. VII. 

3 Pat. Rolls, 4 Edw. I. 24. ' Bodl. Suff. Ch. 281. 

4 Chart. Rolls, 5 Edw. I. " 20 Jan. 18 Hen. VIII. Bodl. Suff. Ch. 

* I.P.M., 7 Edw. III. 4. 282. 

* Chart. Rolls, 17 Ric. II. pt. ii. 29. " Bodl. Suff. Ch. 283. 
7 17 Hen. VI. Bodl. Suff. Ch. 270. 



72 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Robert Crane to John Coole of a field of 14 acres lying in Chilton for 20 
years at a rent of 205.' In 1534 a fine was levied of the manor by William 
Wytouse and others against the said Robert Crane, 1 and in 1542 against 
him by John Branston and others. 1 

Robert Crane married ist Elizabeth d. of Richard Southwell of Wood 
Rising in Norf. and 2ndly Jane d. of Edward White of Essex and his will 
is dated the 27 Feb. 1551. He died shortly afterwards 4 and was succeeded 
by his son and heir Robert Crane who married 3 times, ist Ursula, 2nd 
Elizabeth and 3rd Bridget d. of Sir Thomas Jermyn Knt. of Rushbrooke. 
His will is dated 7th Oct. 1589. He died in 1591. Amongst the Chancery 
Proceedings of Q. Elizabeth we find an action by Dudley Fortescue, 
Executor of Robert Crane against Thomas Appleton to protect plaintiff in 
execution of his trust respecting the manor and the advowson of the Church, 
the free warren there and the view of frankpledge and other lands in Chilton 
and elsewhere late the estate of Robert Crane and devised by his will. 5 

Robert Crane had with other issue a son Henry Crane who married 
ist Anne d. of Thomas Goodwin from whom he was divorced, and 2ndly 
Catherine d. of John Jernegan of Somerley by Catherine his wife d. of George 
Brook Lord Cobham. He died the ist Aug. 1586 in the lifetime of his father 
on whose death the manor passed to his grandson (son of the said Henry) Sir 
Robert Crane, who the 12 May 1625 was appointed by Thomas Earl of Suffolk 
then Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk and Cambridge a Deputy Lieutenant of 
the County of Suffolk 6 and was created a Baronet the n May 1627. He 
became High Sheriff of the County in 1632 and was elected Knight of the 
Shire in several Parliaments. By his first wife Dorothy daughter of Sir Henry 
Hobart Bart. Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, who was 
buried at Chilton the 13 April 1624, he had no issue. She is buried in Chilton 
Church with the following inscription : 

D.O.M.S. 

Here lieth the Bodie of Dorothy first wife of Sir Robert Crane 
of Chilton, Kt., daughter of S' Henry Hobart of Blyckling in the 

County of Norff., Kt. and Baronet, sometyme Lord Cheefe 

Justice of the Common Pleas, who lived with her said Husband 

in great Love and Amity 17 yeares, and willingly yeelded up this Life in expectation of a 

better the nth day of Aprill, 1624. 

Reader, listen and give eare : Wonder not at what I say : 

Vertue lies interred here Rather weepe and hast away, 

Under me : I hide it Then Least that thou a statue be 

Seek it nowhere amongst men : With amazement, like to me. 

From the Female it is gone, If thou readest with eies dry, 

Now that all are dead in one. Thou a marble art, not I. 

The monument is mural. Sir Robert is kneeling between his two 
wives ; the above inscription is underneath the first. The tablets between 
himself and second lady are blanks. The three escutcheons which 
have many quarterings have been much abused. The arms quartered are : 
i Crane, 2 Mollington, 3 Boteler, 4 Carbonel, 5 Phelips, 6 Erpingham, 7 
Jernegan, 8 Harling, 9 Ingoldsthorp, 10 Fitz Osborn, 11 Fitz Rafe, 12 
Mortimer, 13 Gonvyle, 14 Kelvedon, 15 Clifton. Sir Robert Crane by 
his second wife Susan daughter of Sir Giles Alington Knt. of Horseheath 
co. Cambridge (whom he married on the 2ist Sept. 1624 and who remarried 
Isaac Appleton of Holbrook Hall in Waldingfield) had five daughters and 

Bodl. Suff. Ch. 286, 287. I.P.M., 4 Edw. VI. 84. 

Fine, Mich. 26 Hen. VIII. C.P. i. 300. 

Fine, Mich. 34 Hen. VIII. ' Bodl. Suff. Ch. 289. 



CHILTON. 73 

co-heirs, namely, Mary married to Sir Ralph Hare Bart, of Stow Bardolph 
Norf., Anne married first to Sir William Airmine Bart, of Osgodby co. 
Lincoln, and secondly to John Lord Belasyse, Susan married to Sir 
Edward Walpole K.B. of Houghton co. Norf. by whom he was grandfather 
to the famous Sir Robert Walpole K.B., Elizabeth married to Sir Edmund 
Bacon of Redgrave 4th Bart, grandson of Sir Robert Bacon Bart., and 
Sarah who seems to have died early though mentioned in her father's will 
which is dated the 13 Feb. 1642. Sir Robert Crane made his will dated 
7 Oct. 32 Eliz. and died the I7th Febr. 1642-3 when the Baronetcy expired 
and his estates became divisible between his four daughters and co-heirs 
and Chilton appears to have been apportioned to Sir Edmund Bacon Bart. 
The Agreement for Partition which was made between the Hon. Sir 
William Armine of the 1st part the Hon. Sir Ralph Hare of the 2nd part, 
Edmund Bacon of Redgrave of the 3rd part, and Edward Walpole of the 
4th part is dated the i5th Dec. 1652.' Sir Edmund had 6 sons and ten 
daughters all of whom save 4 daughters died before him and this manor 
appears to have passed in 1685 with the Baronetcy to his cousin Sir Robert 
Bacon of Redgrave, but of this the writer has no evidence. 

Sir Robert Bacon died in 1704 and was succeeded by his eldest son 
Sir Edmund Bacon M.P. for Norfolk who married Mary daughter of Sir 
Robert Kemp Bart, by whom he had four daughters, the eldest of whom 
Letitia married Sir Armine Wodehouse Bart, and died in 1759. The 
manor was then sold to William Wyndham of Felbrigg. 

On his death William Wyndham was succeeded by his son and heir, 
the Right Hon. William Wyndham who died in 1824, and was succeeded 
by his nephew and heir William Lukin who took the name of Wyndham. 
He died in 1833 and was succeded by his son and heir William Howe Wynd- 
ham and in July 1861 the manor was purchased for 660 by Richard New- 
man of Hadleigh the present lord. 

Chilton Hall was formerly an extensive moated building, but it has 
now degenerated into a farm house. It was visited by the Suffolk Institute 
in 1886.' 

There are Court Rolls of the manor in the Public Record Office as 
follows : Courts and Halmote 2, 3, 6, 7, 12 to 14, 17 to 20 Edw. II. Court 
Rolls, 20 Edw. II. i [4], 8 Edw. III. 9 to n Edw. III., 12 to 14 Edw. III., 
17 to 19 Edw. III., 22, 23, 29 to 30, 32, 33, 35 to 37 Edw. III., 45 to 48, 
50, 51 Edw. III., i Rich. II., 6 to 8, n, 12, 14 to 18, 20 to 22 Rich. II., 
22, 23 Rich. II., 4, 5, 14 Hen. IV., i to 5, 7, 8 Hen. V., i, 10, 18, 21, 29 
Hen. VI. 3 ; and amongst the Rolls of the British Museum 1342 to 1378 . 4 
Suitors of Court 22 Rich. II. will also be found in the Public Record Office. 5 
And amongst the Harleian Charters in the British Museum will be found 
a power to give seisin of the manor and Church in 1413 and 1431. 6 Extract 
from deeds relating to the manor when in the possession of Sir Robert 
Crane will be found in the Bodleian [4180! and also amongst the Harleian 
MSS. 

Arms of Wyndham : Az. a chevron between 3 lions' heads erased Or. 



Stow Bardolph Muniments. 5 Court Rolls, Addenda. Portfolio 227- 

S.I. vi. (xxxix.). 92. 

Portfolio, 203, 23-35, 38. 6 Harl. 49 D. 37, 52 A. 2. 

Add. Rolls, 1265-1273. ? Harl. 639 




74 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



COCKFIELD. 

|N the time of the Confessor the Abbot of Bury held 4 
carucates and a half of land as a manor. There were 
14 villeins, 16 bordars, 2 plought earns in demesne and 12 
belonging to the men, 4 slaves, 8 acres of meadow, a winter 
mill, 12 beasts, 37 hogs, and 98 sheep. The value of the 
manor was 6 pounds but by the time of the Domesday 
Survey it had risen to 8. 
The bordars had then increased to 22 and the ploughteams in demesne 
had increased by one, but those of the men had come down to 6. There 
were in addition at the time of the Norman Survey 3 rounceys and 12 
hives of bees. In Cockfield there were also 21 freemen with 5 carucates 
of land which 4 men held of the Abbot Berard 3 carucates, James i 
and Coleman i. 13 bordars and 4 slaves. Amongst these there were 8 
ploughteams, subsequently reduced to 7, 16 acres of meadow and wood 
for 6 hogs. These men could all give or sell their land, but by soc and 
commendation they were under the Abbot, except one man over whom 
he only had soc. In Saxon days they were valued at 3 pounds, in Norman 
times at 4. The township was 13 quarantenes long and i league broad 
and paid in a gelt 23^.' In Domesday Survey a holding in Coresfella is 
mentioned and this no doubt is Cockfield. This was land held in the 
Confessor's day by 7 freemen holding land under Witgar or Wisgar by 
commendation and soc and sac consisting of 3 carucates and a half, 25 
acres and 10 bordars, 3 ploughteams and 13 acres of meadow valued at 3 
pounds. Of this Richard son of Earl Gislebert* was tenant in chief of 
King William. 3 

COCKFIELD MANOR. 

The manor first mentioned had been vested in the Abbot of St. Edmund's 
by the gift of Earl Alfar to take effect after the decease of Ethelfled his 
daughter, and then King Edgar gave to the said Ethelfled Chelsworth 
Manor which she gave together with Cockfield to the Abbey according to 
her father the Earl's will. We learn from the Hundred Rolls that 
the Abbot of Bury held 3 knights' fees in chief of the King pertaining to 
Cockfield of which Henry de Cokefield held one of the said Abbot, Thomas 
Weylond held another, John de Falsam held J a knight's fee and Robert 
de Lyndholt held a 4th of a knight's fee all of the said Abbot. 4 Ministers' 
accounts of land in this place 4 and 5 Edw. I. and also for I to 3 Edw. III. 
and 26 to 27 Edw. III.' will be found in the Public Record Office. 6 

The Manor of Cockfield Hall remained in the Abbey until the dissolu- 
tion. An extent of the manor in 1271 will be found amongst the Inquis. 
quod damnum. 7 In 1275 the Prior of Bury St. Edmunds held. 8 In the 
time of King Hen. VIII. the manor was vested in the Drury family and 
in 1527 a fine was levied of the manor by Sir Robert Drury and others 
against William Drury and others' and in 1538 another by Robert Drury 

Dom. ii. 359. I.Q.D., 55 Hen. III. 38. 

See Bures Manor in this Hundred. ' See confirmation of grant, etc., made 

Dom. ii. 392b. by Simon Abbot of Bury on 

H.R. ii. 142. payment of a fine, Originalia, 

Bundle 1109, No. 14. 3 Edw. 1. 17, Pat. Rolls, 3 Edw. I. 

Bundle 1109, No. 23, Bundle mo, 9, 4 Edw. I. 29. 

No. 28 Fine, Easter 19 Hen. VIII. 



COCKFIELD. 



75 



against Robert Drury of Bes thorp in Norfolk. The manor and advowson 
were in 1545 granted to Sir John Spryng and Dorothea his wife/ but 
later it was supposed to be escheat on account of defective title. 2 Sir 
John Spring died the 7 Feb. 15473 an d was succeeded by his son Sir William 
Spring knt. of Pakenham 4 who married Anne daughter of Sir Thomas 
Kytson knt. and died seised in 1600. John Spring his eldest son suc- 
ceeded and married Mary daughter of Sir John Trelawny knt. of Trelawny 
in Cornwall. He died in 1601 leaving his eldest son Sir William Spring who 
was knighted by James I. and married Elizabeth daughter of Sir William 
Smith of High Mount Hall in Essex. He was succeeded by his son and 
heir Sir William Spring knighted by Chas. I. and created a Baronet in 
1641. By his marriage with Elizabeth daughter of Sir Hamon L'Estrange 
knt. he had a son Sir William Spring who succeeded on his father's death 
the 17 Dec. 1654. 

The manor passed before Sir William's death in 1684 to Sir Thomas 
Robinson of Kentwell Hall 5 who died in 1683 and was succeeded by his 
son and heir Sir Lumley Robinson. He died the following year and was 
succeeded by his son and heir Sir Thomas Robinson 6 from whom the manor 
passed by purchase to John Moore whose will is dated the 26th Dec. 1713 
and proved in the Prerogative Court 26 Jan. 1713. From John it passed to 
his nephew John Moore who died in 1753 and was succeeded by his son and 
heir Richard Moore who died in 1782. His will is dated 7 July 1781 
and was proved in the Prerogative Court 27 Nov. 1782. He was succeeded 
by his son and heir Richard Moore who was High Sheriff of the County in 
1812 and died in 1826 lord of the manor. 

Cockfield Hall and farm were subsequently purchased by Samuel 
Buck of Hawstead who gave the land on which the School now 
stands and after coming into the hands of his brother Robert 
Buck and his nephew Mr. Corsbie were purchased in 1865 by T. Jennings 
of Newmarket whose son F. Jennings recently resided at the Hall 
or Manor House. 7 The Cockfield Hall Farm in 1829 consisted of 340 
acres. By Indentures of Lease and Release dated the 13 and 14 March 
1834 the latter made between Edward Wenman Martin, Samuel Bignold, 
William Montrion, Francis Noverre and Richard Morgan, Wllloughby Moore, 
John Wright and Thomas Bignold the younger Cockfield Hall Manor with 
Earl's Hall Manor also in Cockfield were vested in John Wright of Henrietta 
Street, Covent Garden, who in 1839 ^Y Indentures of Lease and Release 
dated the 8th and gth August that year conveyed the same to James Cuddon 
the elder of Norwich. He by his will dated the 26th Nov. 1850 appointed 
his sons James and Francis Thomas Executors and devised to them his 
manors upon trust for sale. James Cuddon died on the gth March 1851 
and his will with five codicils was proved the 17 June 1851 in the Preroga- 
tive Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury. By an Indenture dated the 
15th April 1853 James Cuddon and Francis Thomas Cuddon conveyed 

' Particulars for grant 37 Hen. VIII. See 12 Will. III. "An Act for charg- 

D.K.R. 10, App. ii. p. 276. ing the estate of Sir Thomas 

' ii Jac. I. Exch. Spec. Com. D.K.R. 38, Robinson with 700 for the portion 

App. p. 94. of Anne his sister and for settling 

3 I. P.M., 3 Edw. VI. 65. her estate upon the said Sir Thomas 

4 See Netherhall Manor, Little Wald- Robinson in lieu thereof ." 

ingfield, in this Hundred. 7 S.I. v. 239, 

5 See Monks Melford Manor, Melford, 

in this Hundred. 



76 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

both the manors of Cockfield alias Cockfield Hall and the Manor of Earl's 
Hall in Cockfield to Clarissa Beach Manning, Rose Frances Manning, 
Elizabeth Adelaide Manning and Louisa Manning all of Upper Southwick 
Street, Hyde Park, spinsters as joint tenants. Rose Frances Manning 
died on the 5th Feb. 1859 and by an Indenture dated the 23rd Nov. 1869 
Louisa Manning then residing at Florence upon her marriage with Achelle 
Tanfani of Florence settled her third share in the manors by a conveyance 
to Trustees upon trust for sale. The Misses Manning and their Trustees 
subsequently sold to Charsley whose Executors in 1899 sold the manor to 
George Frederick Beaumont F.S.A. of the Lawn Coggeshall Essex in whom 
the lordship is now vested. 

Extracts from Court Rolls of the manor will be found referred to in 
the loth Report of the Historical MSS. Commissioners. 1 

EARL'S HALL MANOR. 

This manor was so designated from the Veres Earls of Oxford who for 
many generations were its lords. Like the main Manor of Cockfield Hall 
it was held by the Abbot of Bury and from the Abbot, Roger brother of 
Aubrey de Vere ist Earl of Oxford received a grant of the manor. Aubrey 
the brother succeeded. 2 He was a distinguished character and was made 
Lord Chamberlain. He received many important grants of land from the 
Crown and also the Earldom of Cambridge, provided that dignity was not 
vested in the King of the Scots, but if it were, then his lordship was to 
have his choice of the Earldoms of Oxford, Berkshire, Wiltshire or Dorset- 
shire all which grants were ratified by Hen. II. his lordship being created 
Earl of Oxford with the usual grant to Earls of the third penny of the 
pleas of the county. His knights' fees were 28, for which he, in respect of 
the aid in the 12 year of Hen. II., paid 20. He married first Euphemia 
daughter of Sir William de Cantilupe knt. by whom he had no issue, and 
secondly Lucia daughter and heir of Henry de Essex by whom he had 
several sons two of whom Aubrey and Robert were successively Earls of 
Oxford and lords of this manor. The eldest Aubrey 2nd Earl and Lord 
Great Chamberlain died in 1214 leaving no issue, though he married Adelizia 
daughter of Roger Bigod 2nd Earl of Norfolk. Robert his brother, 3rd 
Earl, succeeded. He was one of the 25 influential barons appointed to 
enforce the observance of Magna Charta, and one of the judges of the 
Court of King's Bench in 1220. He married Isabel daughter of Hugh and 
sister and heir of Walter 3rd Baron de Bolebic and dying in 1221 was suc- 
ceeded by his son Hugh 4th Earl of Oxford and 5th Lord Great Chamberlain. 
Hugh de Vere was one of the subscribing barons to the letter transmitted 
to the Pope complaining of the exactions of his Holiness upon this realm, 
and sat in the Parliament 32 Hen. III. [1248] wherein the King was 
upbraided for his extravagant expenditure. He married Hawise daughter 
of Saier de Quincy Earl of Winchester and died in 1263,' being succeeded 
by his son and heir Robert de Vere 5th Earl of Oxford and 6th Lord Great 
Chamberlain. 

This nobleman joined the banner of Montfort Earl of Leicester and 
was with young Hugh de Montfort surprised and taken prisoner a few days 
before the battle of Evesham, but made his peace with the Sovereign soon 
afterwards under the " Dictum of Kenil worth " and was employed by 

Pt. iv. 61. 3 I.P.M., 48 Hen. III. 26. 

See Lavcnham Manor in this Hundred. 



COCKFIELD. 



77 



Edw. I. against the Welsh. He married Alice daughter and heir of 
Gilbert Lord Samford to whom on her husband's death in 1296' the manor 
passed in dower. 

She died in 1317 and was succeeded by her son Robert de Vere 6th 
Earl of Oxford and 7th Lord Great Chamberlain who distinguished himself 
in the wars in Scotland in the 24 and 27 years of Edw. I. [1296-1299]. 
He married Margaret daughter of Roger Mortimer Earl of March and had 
a grant of free warren in Cockfield in 1330' but dying in April I33I 3 without 
issue was succeeded by his nephew John de Vere the 7th Earl and 8th Lord 
Great Chamberlain. A Fine was levied of the manor in 1336 by the Earl 
and Matilda his wife v. Sir William Crocheman and Richard de Stoke 4 
and also in 1342 by the Earl and Matilda his wife v. Richard de 
Stoke clerk and John Fermer. 5 

This nobleman was a warrior of great renown and shared in all the 
glories of Edward the Third's martial reign. He was present at both Crecy 
and Poictiers and lost his life from fatigue in the English army before the 
walls of Rheims. He married Maud sister and heir of Giles Lord 
Badlesmere and widow of Robert Fitz Payn to whom the manor passed in 
dower after the Earl's decease 24 Jan. i36o. 6 She died 6 years later 7 and 
was succeeded by her eldest son Sir Thomas de Vere 8th Earl and gth Lord 
Chamberlain who married Maud daughter of Sir Ralph de Ufford. He 
made his will at Bentley, Friday August I 1371 and directed his body to 
be buried in the Priory of Colne on the north side in the Chapel of St. 
Peter and for his funeral expenses left 133. 6s. 8^. To Maud his wife he left 
all his reliques then in his own keeping, and a cross " made of the very 
wood of Christ's cross " and also all the furniture of his chapel. To Robert 
his son he left two basins of silver ; to Sir Alberic de Vere his brother a 
coat of mail which Sir William de Wingfield had given him ; also a new 
helmet and a pair of gauntlets. To Dame Joane de Wingfield, to Sir John 
Pelham, to John de Haukwood twenty marks, and he appointed the before- 
named persons his executors. He died shortly after making his will 8 
and was succeeded by his only son Robert gth Earl and loth Lord Chamber- 
lain who being under age at his father's decease the King committed the 
custody of the manor to Thomas Tyrell, John de Estbury and John James 
during his minority. 9 Robert had livery of his lands on his coming of age 
in the 6th year of Rich. III. 

He was created Marquess of Dublin Nov. n, 1385 and on 13 Oct. in 
the following year, Duke of Ireland. The jealousy of the nobles was excited 
by the favours lavished upon this gth Earl by his weak Sovereign and his 
lordship had to fly the country, but subsequently returning placed himself 
at the head of 4000 or 5000 men and marching into Oxfordshire was met at 
Radcot Bridge on the River Isis by the Earl of Derby and Duke of 
Gloucester where however he again had to fly for safety. He was shortly 
afterwards sentenced to banishment by Parliament and at the same time 
outlawed and attainted. He died from a hurt received in hunting a wild 
boar at Louvain in 1393. 

He married first Lady Philippa de Courcy daughter and co-heir of 
Ingelram Earl of Bedford by his wife the Princess Isabel daughter of Edward 



1 I.P.M., 24 Edw. I. 62. 

" Chart. Rolls, 4 Edw. III. 37. 

3 I.P.M., 5 Edw. III. 71. 

4 Feet of Fines, 10 Edw. III. 44. 

5 Feet of Fines, 16 Edw. III. 34. 



6 I.P.M., 34 Edw. III. 84. 
' I.P.M., 40 Edw. III. 38. 
8 I.P.M., 45 Edw. III. 45- 
Originalia, 45 Edw. III. 22. 



78 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

III. but repudiating her he married a joiner's daughter who came out of 
Bohemia with Anne Queen consort of Rich. II. but had no issue by either 
marriage. In the i6th Rich. II. [1392-3] theDe Vere estates were restored 
to the last Earl's uncle Aubrey who became loth Earl and though he became 
Chamberlain of the Household, Privy Councillor, and held many other 
important offices, the office of Lord High Chamberlain, so long in his family, 
was bestowed on another. 

In the 21 Rich. II. [1397-8] the judgment passed on his nephew was 
revoked and annulled by Parliament. Aubrey de Vere the loth Earl 
married Alice daughter of John 7th Lord Fitz Walter and dying the 23 
Apr. 1400' was succeeded by his eldest son Richard de Vere nth Earl of 
Oxford who was but 14 years of age at his father's decease. In 1407 he 
assented to Philippa Duchess of Ireland widow of the attainted Duke 
enjoying her dower out of the entailed lands and he obtained a grant from 
the King by way of compensation of lands which had come to the Crown on 
the forfeiture of Duke Robert. It seems that Maud the widow of the 
8th Earl and mother of the gth Earl was still living, and Dugdale gives an 
account of how on her giving out that Richard II. was still living and 
about to come in with an army of French and Scots she was committed 
to prison and her goods confiscated. She died in 1422 leaving her cousin 
Robert de Willoughby her next heir. The nth Earl died Feb. 15, 
1417' leaving by Alice his wife daughter of Sir John Sergean knt. 
and widow of Grey St. Aubyn, two sons John his successor and 
Robert who married Joane daughter of Sir Hugh Courteney and was father 
of John who married Alice, daughter of Walter Kelrington and was father 
of John who ultimately succeeded as isth Earl of Oxford. 

John de Vere the I2th Earl was knighted on the 19 May 1426 by Hen. 
VI. when the King himself received a similar honour from his uncle the 
Duke of Bedford. In 1429 being still under age he had to pay a fine of 
2000 for marrying Elizabeth daughter of John Howard knt. the younger 
without licence, but before the close of that year having attained majority, 
he had livery of his lands. He was a staunch Lancastrian and performed 
eminent services for his sovereign the 6th Henry, but on the accession of 
Edw. IV. he shared the misfortunes of his party and was attainted with his 
eldest son Aubrey and both were beheaded on Tower Hill Feb. 26, I462. 3 
The Warkworth Chronicle thus concisely specifies the misfortunes : " And 
in the Vth yere of Kynge Edwarde, the Erie of Oxenforde, the Lord Abrey, 
his sonne, and Sere Thomas Todenam knyght were taken, and brought 
into the Toure of Londone, and there was leyde to them hye tresone ; 
and aftyrwarde thei were brought before the Erie of Worscetre, and juged 
by lawe padowe that thei schuld be hade to the Toure Hylle, where was 
made a scaffolde of viij. fote hyzt, and ther was there hedes smyten of, 
that alle menne myght see ; whereof the moste peple were sory." 

Edward IV. granted the manor the same year to Richard Duke of 
Gloucester. 

The I2th Earl's second son John de Vere was restored as I3th Earl 
during the temporary triumph of the House of Lancaster in 1470 and sat 
as Lord High Steward at the trial of the Earl of Worcester, the nobleman 
who had presided at the trial and condemnation of John Earl de Vere's 
father and brother. As the Warkworth Chronicle quaintly puts it, " And 

I.P.M., i Hen. IV. 52. > See Rolls of Parliament, vi. 128, 228. 

I.P.M., 4 Hen. V. 53. 



COCKFIELD. 79 

thenne was takene the Erie of Worcetre, whiche was arested and areynede 
befor Sere Jhon Veere, the Erie of Oxenforde, sonne and heyre to the forseide 
Erie of Oxenforde whiche was behedede at the Toure Hille as before wry tene ; 
and so the Erie of Worcetre was juged be suche lawe as he dyde to other 
menne ; and, whenne he was dede, his body and his hede was buryede 
togedyr at the Blacke Frerys in Londone, with alle the honoure and 
worschyppe that his frendes coude do." This Earl was unfortunate at 
the Battle of Barnet, the mist on Easter morning being so great as to render 
it difficult to distinguish friend from foe. The Chronicle from which we 
have quoted above, relates that " there was suche a grete myste, that nether 
of them myght see othere perfitely." The opposing parties fought from 
4 o'clock in the morning until nearly noon and the victory hung in the 
balance. The probable cause of the Lancasterians losing was the Earl of 
Warwick and his men mistaking the Earl of Oxford and his followers for 
the enemy. The Earl of Oxford commanded the van of Warwick's forces 
and broke that of the enemy, but wheeling about with a body of 800 horse 
to attack the enemy on the main flank the unfortunate mistake arose. 
The old chronicler Dr. John Warkworth thus narrates the incident : " It 
hapenede so, that the Erie of Oxenfordes men hade uppon them ther 
lordes lyvery, bothe before and behynde, which was a sterre withe stremys, 
wiche [was] myche lyke Kynge Edwardes lyvery, the sunne with stremys ; 
and the myste was so thy eke that amanne myghte not profytely juge one 
thynge from anothere ; so the Erie of Warwikes menne schott and faughte 
ayens the Erie of Oxenfordes menne, wetynge and supposynge that thei 
hade bene Kynge Edwardes menne ; and anone the Erie of Oxenforde and 
his menne cryed ' treasoune ! treasoune ! ' and fledde awaye from the 
felde withe viij. c. menne .... and whenne the Erie of Warwyke 
sawe his brothere dede, and the Erie of Oxenforde fledde, he lepte one 
horse-backe, and flede to a wode by the felde of Barnett, where was no 
waye forthe ; and one of Kynge Edwardes menne had espyede hyme, and 
one came uppone hym, and kylled hym, and dispolede hyme nakede. 
And so Kynge Edwarde gate that felde." 

The Earl of Oxford fled to Scotland and from thence passed over to 
France where he was particularly well received. The Warkworth Chronicle 
ends abruptly with an interesting account of the Earl's descent on St. 
Michael's Mount Cornwall, and of his being ultimately taken prisoner to 
London. " And in the same yere he was in the see withe certeyne schippes 
and gate grete good and rychesse and afterewarde came into westecountre, 
and, with a sotule poynte of we"rre, gate and enteryd Seynt Michaels Mount 
in Cornwayle, a stronge place and a mygty, and can nozt be geett yf it be 
wele vytaled withe a fewe menne to kepe hit ; for xxti menne may kepe 
it ageyne alle the world. So the seyd Erie, withe xxti score menne save 
iij, the last day of Septembre the yere afore seyd 1 enteryd fyrst into [the] 
seyd mount, and he and his menne came doune into cuntre of Cornwale, 
and hade righte good chere of the comons, &c. The Kynge and his 
counselle sawe that therof myche harme myght growe, &c. ; comawndyd 
Bodrygan, scheff reulere of Cornwayle, to besege the seid mount. And so 
he dyd ; and every day the Erie of Oxenfordes menne came doune undere 
trewis, spake with Bodryngham and his menne ; and at the laste the seid 
Erie lacked vytayle, and the seyde Bodrygan suffryd hyme to be vytailed ; 
and anone the Kynge was put in knowlache therof ; wherefor the seide 

13 Edw. IV. 



8o THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Bodrygan was discharged, and Richard Fortescu, squyere for the body, 
by auchoryte of the Kynge, toke uppone honde to lay sege to the forseide 
mount, &c. And so gret dyversione roose betwyx Bodrygan and Fortescu, 
whiche Fortescu was schreve of Cornwayle, &c. ; and the seide Fortescu 
leyed sege, &c., the xx. xiijti. day of Decembre the yere aforseide ; and 
for the most party every day eche of theme faughte withe othere, and the 
seide Erles menne kylled dyverse of Fortescu menne ; and som tyme 
whennc thei hade welle y-foughte, thei wulde take a trewis for one day 
and a night, and some tyme for two or thre dayes, &c. In the whiche 
trewes eche one of them spake and comaunde with other. The Kynge 
and his counselle sent unto dyverse that were with the Erie of Oxenforde 
prevely there pardones, and promysede to them grete yeftes and landes and 
goodes, by the whiche dyverse of them were turned to the Kynge ayens 
the Erie ; and so in conclusione the Erie hade nozt passynge ane viij . or 
ix. menne that wolde holde withe hym ; the whiche was the undoynge of 
the Erie. For ther is proverbe and a seyenge, that a castelle that spekythe, 
and a womane that wille here, thei wille be gotene bothe ; for menne that bene 
in a castelle of warr, that wille speke and entrete withe ther enemyes, the 
conclusione therof [is] the losynge of the castelle ; and a womanne that wille 
here foly spokyne unto hyre, if sche assent nozt at one tyme, sche wille 
at another. And so this proverbe was provede trewe by the seide Erie of 
Oxenforde, whiche was fayne to yelde up the seyde mount, and put hyme 
in the Kynges grace ; if he hade nozt do so, his owne menne wulde have 
brought hym oute. And so Fortescu enterd into the seyd mount, the xv. 
day of Februarij, the yere afore sayde, in the whiche was vytayle enogh 
tylle midsomere aftere. And so was the Erie aforseyd, the Lorde Bemonde, 
two brotheres of the seide Erles, and Thomas Clyfforde, brought as a 
prisonere to the Kynge ; and alle was donne by ther oune foly, &c.'" 

This account is correct as far as it goes and is supported by existing 
records. It was when the King saw clearly that Bodrugan would not take 
the Earl that he by Letters Patent 7th Dec. 1473, " Pro eo quod notorius 
rebellis et proditor noster Johannes, nuper comes Oxonie, aggregatis sibi 
quampluribus malefactoribus et pacis nostre perturbatoribus nobis 
rebelhbus, Montem Sancti Michaelis in comitatu Cornubie ingressi sunt," 
gave power and authority to John Fortescue, Sir John Crokker knt. and 
Henry Bodrugan to reduce the Mount to his obedience, adding this clause : 
" Damus etiam eisdem Johanni, Johanni et Henrico et eorum cuilibet 
committimus plenam potentiam et auctoritatem ad quascunque personas 
nobis in Monte predicto rebelles et inobedientes, prefato nuper comite, 
Willelmo Beaumond nuper domino Bardolf milite, Georgio Veer, Thoma 
Veer, Ricardo Veer, fratribus predicti nuper comitis, exceptis, gratie nostre 
se submittentes et juramentum fidelitatis sue nobis facere volentes, juxta 
discretiones suas ad gratiam nostram admittendi." 

The offer of pardon to the men of the Earl produced, as the chronicler 
states, the desired effect. 

The Earl of Oxford and his brothers George and Thomas obtained 
from the King letters patent of pardon in 1474 as to their lives only. The 
Earl was sent a prisoner to Hames Castle where he was kept prisoner for 
ten years. In 1484 he contrived to escape by the connivance of James 
Blunt the Captain of the Castle and joined Henry Earl of Richmond 
who had just sought refuge in France prior to preparing for his descent on 

1 Warkworth Chronicle, Camden Soc. 1839. P a e 2 7- 



COCKFIELD. 81 

England. The joy of the Earl of Richmond on being thus supported is 
described by Poly dore Vergil in graphic terms : " Whan Henry saw therle 
he was ravisshyd with joy incredible that a man of so great nobilytie and 
knowledge in the warres, and of most perfyte and sownd fydelytie, most 
earnestly bent to his syde, was at the last by God's assistance delyveryd 
owt of ward, and in so fyt tyme coommyd to help him, in whome he might 
repose his hope, and settle himself more safely than in any other ; for he 
was not ignorant that others who had holden on King Edward syde yealdid 
unto him by reason of the evell state of time, but this man who had so oft 
foughte for King Henry was he thowght delyveryd from that ward by the 
hevenly help, that he might have one of his owne faction to whom he might 
safely commyt all thinges ; and therfor rejoysing above all measure for 
therle of Oxfoorth is cooming, he began to hope better of his affaires." 
John Earl of Oxford had an important command at the celebrated Battle 
of Bosworth. On the accession of the Earl of Richmond to the throne as 
Hen. VII. he was richly rewarded for his fidelity to that sovereign's house. 
He was made Admiral of England, Constable of the Tower in Sept. 1485, 
and in Oct. of the same year he had the ancient office of his house restored 
to him, that of Lord Great Chamberlain. 

John de Vere married first Lady Margaret Neville 6th daughter of 
Richard Earl of Salisbury by whom he had a son John who died young in 
the Tower of London during his father's exile, and andly Elizabeth daughter 
of Sir Richard Scrope knt. and widow of William Viscount Beaumont but 
had no issue. He died xoth March 1513 and was interred in the Priory 
of Colne under a tomb which he had prepared for himself and Margaret 
his first wife, there already buried. His widow survived until 1537. By 
her will dated the 30 May 29 Hen. VIII. 1537 proved the 6th Nov. following 
she bequeathed her body to be buried in the parish church of Wyvenhoe 
by the corpse of William Viscount Beaumont, her first husband. Her 
effigy in brass still remains, with the inscription : "Of your charitie pray 
for the Soule of the high and noble Lady Elizabeth Scroope first married 
to the noble lord, William, late Vycount Beaumont, Lord Comyn, Bardolphe, 
Phelipp and Erpingham ; and after Wife unto the high and noble Lorde 
John sumtyme Earl of Oxford, High Chamberlain of England and Admiral 
of the same, Vycount Bulbeck, Lord Scales, Councelor to our Soverayne 
lorde the Kyng, and knyght of the most noble Order of the Garter. The 
which Lady Elizabeth, departed to God, the 26th Day of June 1537, on 
whose Soule, and Christen Souls, Jesu have Mercy." Her mantle is em- 
blazoned on each side with the arms of her family. An abstract of her 
will is in Dugdale and in the Testamenta Vetusta of Sir Nicholas Harris 
Nicolas where a pedigree is appended, in which she is erroneously described 
as wife of John de Vere fourteenth Earl of Oxford (nephew of her husband) 
whose wife was Anne or Agnes dau. of Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Nor- 
folk and who was not a knight of the Garter. A correct pedigree of her 
paternal relations is inserted in the Scrope and Grosvenor Controversy 
where she is described to have had a sister Frances but omitting the name 
of her husband Sir John St. Clere knt. by whom she had issue John, Giles 
and Elizabeth. The next and I4th Earl of Oxford John de Vere nephew 
of the deceased Earl eldest surviving son of Sir George Vere knight the deceased 
Earl's brother succeeded, and was known as " Little John of Campes." He 
married Lady Anne Howard 3rd daughter of Thomas 2nd Duke of Norfolk 
but had no issue. He died July 14 1526 in the lifetime of the Countess of 
Oxford when his cousin John de Vere succeeded as I5th Earl. He was 

K 



82 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

son and heir of John son and heir of Robert uncle of the ijth Earl, and became 
a 1'nvv CoondDor and K.(i. in the reign of Hen. VIII. He was one of 
those who signed the articles against Cardinal Wolsey and joined with the 
King against the Pope in the matter of the divorce from Queen Katherine. 
IK- married Elizabeth daughter and heir of Sir Edward Trussell knt. 
Banneret of Cublesdon co. Stafford, and with an eldest son John who suc- 
ceeded as i6th Earl had a son Aubrey (married to Margaret daughter of 
John Spring of Lavenham) grandfather of Robert who ultimately 
succeeded as igth Earl of Oxford. 

The 1 5th Earl died the 21 March 1540 and was succeeded by John 
i6th Earl. Davy makes Edward de Vere lyth Earl the next lord of the 
manor, and Page goes even further and states that Earl's Hall remained 
in the De Vere family until the extinction of the title in that house by the 
decease of Aubrey de Vere aoth Earl of Oxford without issue March I2th 
1702. Both Davy's suggestion and Page's statement appear to be 
inaccurate, for the manor seems to have passed in 1548 to Edward Duke 
of Somerset,' and about 1554 to Sir Wm. Spring of Pakenham the son of 
Sir John Spring of Cockfield. It is quite possible the estate was merely 
vested in Spring by way of mortgage, but it did no doubt ultimately vest 
in Sir William Spring as absolute owner. Probably the transfer was effected 
in 1583 when we meet with a fine levied of the manor by Sir William Spring 
against Edward Earl of Oxford. 2 Sir William Spring died in 1599, when 
the manor passed in the same course as the main manor of Cockfield to 
this Sir William's grandson Sir William Spring. In 1609 Sir Thomas 
Skinner was lord and he sold the manor to Isaac Wooder. Davy informs 
us that in 1609 John Strutt held a part, and in 1668 Dame Elizabeth Spring 
of Pakenham lady of the manor granted a lease of it to Sir Thomas Robinson 
of Kentwell Hall. Sir Thomas Robinson subsequently acquired the fee, 
after which the devolution is identical with that of Cockfield Hall Manor 
down to James Cuddon who purchased in 1829. The Misses Manning 
purchased from the executors of James Cuddon in 1853 this manor, but 
Earl's Hall farm containing 333 acres was purchased by Robert Martin 
Carss of Little Welnetham who sold it in 1861 to William Baker Hustler 
who resided there in 1885. The devolution of the manor from James 
Cuddon is identical with Cockfield Hall, and it is now vested like that 
manor in George Frederick Beaumont. 

BUTLERS al. JACOBBIES MANOR. 

We do not find any further mention of this manor than in the hands 
of the Spring family. Thomas Spring died seised of it the 29 June 1523,' 
and was succeeded by his son Sir John Spring who died the 12 Feb. 1548, 
and was succeeded by his son Sir William who died the 3 Feb. 1599 and 
was succeeded by his son and heir John Spring of Pakenham. Mr. 
Churchill Babington in a paper in the Suffolk Institute in 1880 Vol. V. p. 
242 says of this manor, " I have been unable to discover anything more 
of this Butler's Manor, but am inclined to suspect that the Green now called 
Button's Green is a corruption of Butler's Green. The house thereon 
belonging to the Rev. G. A. Langdale, occupied by Mr. Simkin, and also 
the house not far distant, known as Knight's Hill, belonging to Mr. Barne- 
well, and occupied by Mr. Edgar, are certainly not very modern and may 

1 Fine, Easter, 2 Edw. VI. > I.P.M., 15 Hen. VIII. 17. 

Fine, Easter, 25 Eliz. 



COCKFIELD. 83 

probably be of the seventeenth century, but there was a house between the 
two known as the Old House of which no vestige now remains, though a 
barn belonging to it was taken down about twenty years ago. This I sus- 
pect may have been the Manor House." 

PEPERS al. COLCHESTER'S MANOR. 

This manor was held originally by the Cockfields. Lemmerus de 
Cokefeud is the first lord of whom we have any note. He was succeeded 
by his son and heir Adam de Cockfield, and we find that Anselm Abbot of 
St. Edmund's granted to this Adam and his heirs by the service of one 
knight, the land in Cokefeld and Lilesey which his father Lemmerus held 
in his lifetime, as the men of St. Edmund's swore and testified, in the 
presence of Talbot the Prior and others. 

Anselmus, Dei gratia Abbas ecclesiae Sancti Edmundi, omnibus 
suis successoribus et omnibus hominibus ejusdem ecclesiae Francis et 
Anglis prsesentibus et succedentibus, Salutem. Notifico vobis me, 
concessu totius conventus, concessisse Adae et heredibus suis, ut 
amodo teneat jure haereditario, per servicium unius militis, terram de 
Kochfeld et de Leleseie cum hiis quae pertinent, scilicet, terram quam 
pater suus tenuit die qua vivus et mortuus fuerat, et sicut juraverunt 
et testificati fuerunt homines Sancti Edmundi Lemmerum patrem 
illius habuisse die qua fuerat vivus et mortuus, in praesentia Domini 
Taleboti prioris, assistentibus monachis Eadnotho et Siredo et 
Wulfrico et Ordingo et Gotcellino et Wlwardo clerico et Rogerio 
Debili et Osberno et Mellet et Egelmero de Wheterfeld. Et 
ut melius possit facere de predictis terns servitium unius militis, dedi 
ei, per concessum praedicti conventus ad acramentum, v solidatas 
terrae et iiij. denariatas terrae, scilicet servitium de terra Aistani de 
Leleseia et servitium avi sui Wlfrici de Grotene. Et volo et precipio, 
ut ille et suus haeres ita teneat bene et in pace et honorifice sicuti 
sui pares, videlicet, milites Abbatiae tenent. Et hi sunt testes : 
Wlwardus dapifer, Willelmus filius Ageh, Salomon clericus, Wlfricus 
presbiter, Willelmus presbiter de Pachenham, Herebertus clericus, 
et alii.' 

Adam de Cokefield described in one place as " de Castello de Lilesey 
in Suff." was succeeded by his son Robert the issue of Adam's wife Adeliza. 
Robert de Cokefield died in 1191 leaving a son Adam de Cokefield who 
succeeded him and three daurs. : Alicia married to Bartholomew Creke of 
North Creke co. Norf ., Beatrix married to Sir William de Berners knt. and 
Gunnora married to William Drayton of Drayton co. Norf. Adam de 
Cokefield married one Rohais subsequently the wife of Thomas Erdinton 
of Erdinton co. Warwick and died before 1209 leaving an only dau. Nesta 
whose wardship and marriage was given by her father to the Abbot of St. 
Edmund. He granted the wardship to Herbert Archbishop of Canterbury 
who gave it to Thomas de Burgh brother of Sir Hubert de Burgh the 
Chamberlain and in the reign of Hen. III. Justiciary of England and Earl 
of Kent. 1 

An award of seisin of the manor (described as usual as Cockfield Manor) 
was in 1209 made to " Margaret de Kokefield " probably a mistake for 
Nesta on the ground that her father Adam had died seised. 3 Thomas 
de Burgh seems to have married his ward Nesta, and in the 3rd Hen. III. 
Rohais widow of Adam de Cokefield released to Thomas de Burgh and 
Nesta his wife her dower in the lands of her late husband in Cokefeld, 

1 Liber Celerarii Camb. Univ. Libr. Chron. Jocel. de Brakelonda (Camd. Soc; 
G.g. 4, 4, fol. 396. Harl. 230 1840 pp. 72 and 91.) 

fol. loi. 3 Abbr. of PI. n John. 14. 



84 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Semere and Groton, other lands being assigned to her. Thomas de 
Burgh and Nesta his wife were benefactors to the priory of St. Anthony 
of Kersey,' which priory was founded probably by her ancestors abt. 1184, 
the " Parvum Monastenum de Kersey " being then accounted in the Liber 
de Consuetudinibus S. Edmundi as half a leet to the hundred of Cosford. 
It seems first to have been a hospital or free chapel but Nesta de Cokefield 
converted it into a Priory of Canons of the order of St. Austin. Nesta after 
the death of Thomas de Burgh, increased her gifts to the priory, bestowing 
upon it among other hereditaments the Churches of Kersey and Lellesley, 
the former of which was appropriated to the use of the canons by Thomas 
de Blunderville 7th Bp. of Norwich in 1227. The grant of Nesta de Coke- 
field specifies the messuage late the hospital and 30 acres of land adjoining 
and the tithes of the mills of Cockfield, Semere, Lelesey and Kersey to sus- 
tain the lights in the Church of St. Anthony. The portion added by Thomas 
de Burgh consisted of 3 acres. In the Mon. Angl. vol. i. 533 is an engraving 
of the seal of Nesta de Cokefeld attached to her grant to the priors ; the 
original is amongst the evidences of King's College Cambridge. It is an oval 
seal, representing a cock, and this inscription round it : 

+ SIGIL : NESTE : DE : COCFELD + 

Nesta next became the wife of John de Beauchamp and in 1240 they 
added to the donations made to the priory. John de Beauchamp died in 
1240 and Nesta married for a 3rd husband Matthew de Leyham, whose 
family were seated at Leyham in the neighbourhood of Lilesey. It was 
probably on the occasion of this marriage that Matthew de Leyham with 
others carried away the goods of Rohais the mother who was still alive and 
for which transgression they stood amerced in 1242.' This same year Nesta 
and her husband Matthew de Leyham 3 sold this manor with 5 carucates of land 
in Cockfield to the Abbot of Bury, the Abbot releasing all claim to the lands 
belonging to them in Lilesey, Groton, Semere and Rougham.' Subsequently 
Henry de Cokefeld held one knight's fee of the Abbot. 5 In 1249 we meet 
with a Final Concord between Nicholas de Cokfeld and others by which the 
right is acknowledged of Nicholas to 10 acres of land in Cockfield, 6 and in 
the next reign we find John de la Garderobe seeking to replevy John de Coke- 
feld the latter's land in Cockfield against Alice late wife of Philip Spark. 7 

But the manor prior to this, namely in 1315, belonged to Adam de 
Colchestre, and Davy makes a Joan Peper widow to hold after this but 
without assigning a date. It is clear, however, that an Adam de Colceestre 
died seised in 1398 he then holding \ a fee of Roger de Mortuo Mari Earl of 
March" and another Adam Colcestre died seised in 1425 holding in like 
manner. 9 The lordship subsequently vested in Thomas Spring who died 
the 29 June 1523' when it passed to his son and heir Sir John Spring who 
died in 1548, when it passed to his widow Dorothy and later to Sir William 
Spring. In 1588 a fine was levied of the manor by John Sprynge s. and h. 
of Sir William Springe against Sir W. Spring." Sir Wm. died seised in 
1599 being succeeded by his son and heir John Spring. Amongst the 

1 Charts v. vi. Dugdale Mon. vi. 593. Bodl. Suff. Ch. 290. 

Fine, 26 Hen. III. 2, 5. r Close Rolls, 18 Edw. II. 5<f. 

See further as to Nesta de Cokefield I.P.M., 22 Rich. II. 34. 

under Groton Manor in this ' I.P.M., 3 Hen. VI. 32. 
Hundred. - I.P.M., 15 Hen. VIII. 17. 

Fine, 26 Hen. III. 174. Fine, Mich. 30, 31 Eliz. 

' H.R. ii. 142, 151. 



COCKFIELD. 85 

Duchy of Lancaster Pleadings will be found particulars of a suit as to relief 
for a tenement in " Pipers " Manor in Cockfield, Lay ton v. Reynolds, ' 
and amongst the Chancery Proceedings in the time of Q. Elizabeth pre- 
served in the Record Office will be found a Bill by Henry Collyn the elder 
against Anne Spring widow for payment of money charged on the 
" Manor of Peppers " and a capital mansion house called " Palmer's " 
and land in Cockfield conveyed by John Spring deceased to defendant 
his widow. 2 To John's widow Anne succeeded Sir William Spring. 
Mr. Churchill Babington in his Materials for a Hist, of Cockfield 
has the following note as to the devolution of this manor, the substance of 
which he states is derived from Katherine Jermyn's " Insignia of Suffolk 
Families " in MSS. in the Library of the Suffolk Institute and from the 
title-deeds of Pepper's Hall. " The Harveys appear to have succeeded 
the Springs about the middle of the seventeenth century both to the Hall 
and to the manor. Francis Harvey who died in 1691 was succeeded by 
James Harvey, the Recorder of Colchester. His widow Elizabeth Harvey 
devised them to the Rev. Harvey Aspin and his heirs. He belonged to a 
Hampshire family, and took the degree of LL.B. in 1740 being a member of 
Corpus Christi College Cambridge. He was related to the Harvey and 
Calthorpe family, and married Isabella Lestrange of Bury St. Edmund's, 
a member of the Hunstanton family of that name. He succeeded to the 
Harvey estate in 1767 and left it to his sister Dorothy who in 1761 married 
Nat. Acton of Bramford [died 1795] whose family was anciently seated at 
Ipswich. Thus on the death of Harvey Aspin in 1791, the Actons succeeded, 
and in 1814 William Baldwin of Sparrow's Nest, Ipswich, formerly of Thorpe 
Morieux, purchased the estate of Caroline Acton. About this time the 
manor fell into disuse, the manor-house was turned into a farmhouse, and the 
estate was enfranchised by the Honor of Clare. Mr. William Baldwin 
son of the preceding succeeded his father in 1830. The farm is now [1880] 
in the possession (by purchase) of Mr. J. T. Cousens son-in-law of Mr. 
Baldwin." 



1 Duchy of Lancaster. Cal. to Pleadings. ' C.P. i. 181. 
[43] Eliz. 2. 



86 



THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 




CORNARD (GREAT). 

|N King Edward's time the mother of Karl Morchar held 3 
irucates as a manor. There were 8 villeins, 9 bordars, 8 
slaves, 3 ploughteams in demesne and 8 belonging to the 
men, a mill, 14 acres of meadow, wood for 10 hogs, and a 
church li\ ingwithout land. There were also 4 horses at the 
Hall, 18 beasts, 80 hogs and 363 sheep. By the time of the 
Norman Surveylthere were 10 villeins, 25 bordars, 9 slaves, but 
only i ploughteam in demesne. The ploughteams, however, of the men 
had risen to 10. 

The custody of this manor was committed by King William to William 
the Chamberlain and Otho the Goldsmith for the Crown. 1 In this place 
the Abbot of Bury held 2 freemen with 50 acres and i of meadow of which 
the value was 6 ores both in Saxon and Norman times. These freemen 
could sell or give their lands but the soc and all customs belonged to the 
Abbot.' Richard son of Earl Gislebert 3 also held 7 freemen who in the 
Confessor's time had held under Wisgar or Witgar by commendation and 
soc and sac 2 carucates of land and I bordar ; also 5 acres of meadow. 
There had been 3 ploughteams, but in Norman days there were only two. 
The value of Richard's holding was 26 shillings and 8d* Another holding 
was that of Ralph de Limesi 5 namely a freeman (under Wisgar by com- 
mendation only and soc) having one carucate of land. There were 5 
bordars, i ploughteam in demesne and 6 acres of meadow, wood for 4 hogs, 
and 5 beasts. There were then 20 hogs where formerly there had been 10 
only, and 60 sheep where formerly there had been half that number, and 
the value of the holding was 20 shillings. 6 The Great Survey after this 
entry says, " It is half a league long and half a league broad and paid 3^ 
in a gelt." What the " it " refers to is not clear. There is no certain 
evidence that all the above entries are of land in Great Cornard, but this 
is the presumption. Great Cornard and Little Cornard are not distinguished 
in Domesday Book. 

CORNARD MAGNA OR ABBAS HALL MANOR. 

The manor became very early vested in a family who assumed the 
name of the parish. The first member of the family we meet with is Serlo 
de Cornerthe of Assington who was followed by his son and heir Richard 
de Cornerd and he by his son and heir John who was High Sheriff in the 
time of Kings Richard and John. He was succeeded by his son and heir 
Richard de Cornerthe of Cavendish and he by his son another Richard and 
his son and heir was Sir Richard de Cornerd knt. Sir Richard left an only 
daughter Alice who married Thomas de Grey of Grey's Hall in Cavendish 
about the year 1304. This Sir Richard de Cornerd is said to have sold the 
manor to the Convent of Mailing in Kent, about 1317 according to Page, 
and about 1318 according to Davy, but it could hardly have been so early 
as this, for in a rental of the date of 1362 in the muniment room at Merton 
Hall, Norfolk, cited by the Rev. Geo. Crabbe in a paper in the Proceedings 
of the Suffolk Institute/ Roger de Grey is said to be the owner. Probably 



' Dom. ii. 2866. 

Dom. ii. 360. 

' See Bures Manor in this Hundred. 

Dom. ii. 392. 



5 See Overhall Manor, Cavendish, 

this Hundred. 
' Dom. ii. 4286. 
' Vol. vi. p. 13. 



in 



CORNARD (GREAT). 87 

some confusion has arisen as to the identity of the lands, for in the eleventh 
year of Edw. II. [1317-18] there was an exchange of divers lands in 
Cornard Magna, &c., between the Abbess of Mailing and Thomas de Grey ;' 
and further we may gather from a fine in 1390 that the manor had not at 
that date even left the Grey family. It is between Thomas Archbishop of 
York, Robert Bishop of London, Thomas Earl of Gloucester, Thomas 
Earl of Arundell, Thomas Earl of Warwick and Sir Richard le Scrope against 
Thomas Grey parson of the Church of Wethersfield and relates to this manor. 2 
The manor, too, is included in the Inquis. p.m. of John de Monte Acuto 
Earl of Salisbury as late as I4OO. 3 

It must, however, be remembered that in the returns of lords of manors 
in 1316, the Abbess of Mailing is said to be lord of Great Cornerd even at 
that date, a date earlier than any alleged sale to her by Thomas de Grey. 

In any case the manor did at some time pass, as did also the advow- 
son, to the Convent of the Blessed Virgin, West Mailing, with which religious 
community they continued until the dissolution. Court Rolls are still in 
existence of Courts held for the manor by the Abbess of Mailing 5, 6, 8, 9, 
10, ii and 12 Hen. VIII. and the Rolls of the Courts held the 17, 18, 19, 
20, 21, 24, 27 and 28 Hen. VIII. actually bear the name of Elizabeth Rede 
the Abbess. Of course the manor passed to the Crown on the dissolution 
of the religious houses and it is usually stated that in 1540 the Archbishop 
of Canterbury obtained a grant of both manor and advowson in exchange 
for other property. We venture to doubt this, as the Courts of the manor 
held in 31, 33, 35 and 36 Hen. VIII. were held by Thomas Danyell who at the 
head of each of the Rolls of these Courts is stated to be then lord. The grant 
to whoever made was apparently resumed by the Crown in Elizabeth's 
reign. In 1612 William Whitmore and John Verdon are said to have had 
a grant of the manor. In 1624, however, the manor was vested in John 
Brand who held Courts for it on the following dates : 6 Oct. 22 Jac., 3 
April 3 Car. I., 16 June 4 Car. I., 30 July 4 Car. I., 8 Oct. 5 Car. I., 29 Oct. 
5 Car. I., 10 Dec. 5 Car. I., 4 Aug. 7 Car. I., 5 Oct. 7 Car. I., 31 Oct. 7 
Car. I., ii Oct. 10 Car. I., i Oct. 11 Car. I., 20 Oct. 12 Car. I., 11 Oct. 
13 Car. I., 24 Oct. 14 Car. I., 2 May 15 Car. I., 30 Oct. 15 Car. I., 20 April 
16 Car. I., 7 Oct. 16 Car. I., 22 June 17 Car. I., 4 Aug. 17 Car. I., 5 Oct. 
18 Car. I. The Courts held 7 Nov. 19 Car. I. and 26 Sept. 20 Car. I. 
were held by John Eldred. No name is given as lord in the Roll of the 
Court held 10 Dec. 21 Car. I., but Thomas Mott and John Brand held 
their first Court the 24 Sept. 22 Car. I. and further Courts the 28 March 
24 Car. I., 5 Oct. 21 Car. I., 3 Oct. 1650, 3 Oct. 1651, 16 Dec. 1652, 20 
Oct. 1653, 22 Dec. 1653, after which they disappear, and John Eldred holds 
his first Court the 12 Oct. 1654 and subsequent Courts the loth April 
1656, 6 April 1657, J 5 Oct- I 65. Another John Eldred styled the younger 
then holds the following Courts : 31 March 1659, 26 March 1660, 21 June 
12 Car. II., 26 March Car. II., 4 April 1662, 31- March 15 Car. II., 28 Mar. 
16 Car. II., 22 April 17 Car. II., 27 May 17 Car. II., 27 March 1665, i 
April 1667, 27 March 1668, 27 Sept. 1669, 19 Oct. 1669, 20 Apl. 22 Car. 
II., 31 March 23 Car. II., 31 March 24 Car. II., 18 April 25 Car. II., 23 
Apl. 26 Car. II., 22 July 26 Car. II., i April 27 Car. II., 24 May 27 Car. II., 
23 July 27 Car. II., 30 Mar. 28 Car. II., 26 Mar. 1678, 28 March 1679, 
28 March 1681, 28 March 1682, 26 March 1684, 6 April 1686, 31 March 

1 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 19077 p. 259, " Feet of Fines, 14 Rich. II. 24. 

et seq. 3 I.P.M., i Hen. IV. n. 



88 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

1687, i Apl. 1690, - - 1693, 3 April 1694. Another John Eldred then 
succeeds as lord and is styled in the Rolls John Eldred jun. He held his 
first Court the 28 June 1703, and subsequent Courts on the 28 July 1703, 
26 Oct. 1703, 10 May 1704, 25 Sept. 1704, 9 Oct. 1705, 22 April 1706, 
21 April 1707, 12 May 1708, 18 April 1709, 5 April 1710, 26 April 1710, 
18 April 1711, 5 May 1712, 27 May 1713, 5 June 1716, 20 May 1718, 26 
May 1720, 7 Sept. 1720, 4 Oct. 1720, 9 May 1721, 24 April 1722, 28 
June 1722, 27 June 1723, 4 June 1724, 27 May 1726, 27 Oct. 1727, 21 
Aug. 1728, 15 Sept. 1729, 14 Oct. 1729, I Oct. 1730, 16 May 1732, 9 June 
1732, 14 July 1732. Mary Eldred the last lord's widow held Courts on 
the 12 Feb. 1733, 29 May 1735, 24 June 1735, 12 Aug. 1735, 21 Sept. 1736, 
20 Dec. 1737. One Court was held by Anne Eldred spinster, namely on 
the 15 Nov. 1738 and then the manor was evidently sold to John Wall 
the yr. who held his first Court on the 3 Oct. 1739, and subsequent Courts 
on the 21 April 1742, 18 May 1742, 21 June 1742, 6 July 1743, 16 Dec. 
1743, 22 Nov. 1749, 8 March 1749, 5 April 1750 and 13 May 1751- ; and 
Courts on the 21 Nov. 1751, 19 Feb. 1752, 20 Oct. 1752, 19 April 1754 and 
I Aug. 1755 were held by the said John Wall and Anne his wife. John 
Wall died before 1761 for Anne his widow held the Courts on the 29 July 
1761, 25 Aug. 1761, 13 Oct. 1761, ii Oct. 1762, ii April 1763, 24 Sept. 
1764, 4 Sept. 1765, 18 Nov. 1765, 26 May 1766, 25 Aug. 1766, 23 Sept. 
1766, 19 January 1767, 25 June 1767, 21 May 1768, 18 Aug. 1768, 23 May 
1769, and the 8 January 1770. The manor then passed to James Sparrow 
and Margaret his wife dau. and co-heir of the Rev. Thomas Bernard, Rector 
of Little Barfield, the Rev. John Harrison and Ann his wife, John Goodeal 
and Elizabeth his wife and Bridget Bernard spinster who held their ist 
Court the 26 April 1770 and their second Court the 24 May 1771. Subsequent 
Courts on the 22 April 1772 and the 14 April 1773 were held by James 
Sparrow and the Rev. John Harrison. James Sparrow died the 2gth Oct. 
1777 and his eldest son the Rev. John Sparrow having died in 1786 and 
his 2nd son Thomas Bernard in 1793 the manor seems to have vested in 
the 3rd son James Goodeve Sparrow. He married ist in 1799 Anne 
youngest dau. and co-heir of James Crowe of Lakenham, Norwich, and 2ndly 
m 1817 Dorothy dau. of the Rev. Basil-Bury Beridge of Algakirk co. 
Lincoln and dying the 2 Oct. 1838 the manor passed to his son and heir 
Henry Weare Sparrow and on his death to his brother Basil Sparrow who 
in 1846 married Julia dau. of James Scratton of Prittewell Priory, Essex 
and on his death in 1880 vested in his son and heir the Rev. Basil James 
Harrold Sparrow-Beridge of Gosfield Place Halstead Essex, eldest son of Basil 
Sparrow of Gosfield by Julia his wife dau. of John Scratton of Prittlewell 
Essex. He in 1882 married Margaret Lousia dau. of Henry Capel Elliott 
and in 1883 by royal licence assumed the name of Beridge. 

Amongst the early Chancery Proceedings is a suit concerning rents of 
lands held of Cornard Manor : John Cruche bailiff v. Thomas West. 1 And 
amongst the State Papers is a licence in 1538 to sell the manor then 
stated to be of the yearly rent of 40.* Oliver St. John and wife were in 
1554 called upon to shew title to the manor. 3 

Court Rolls of Abbas Hall Manor for 1559, 1562, 1567, 1569, 1570, 
1572, 1574, 1576, 1577, 1585, 1593-6, 1598-1600, and 1602 will be found in the 

1 E.C.P., 14 Hen. VI. 17, 139. 3 Memoranda, Rolls i and 2 Phil, and 

State Papers, 1538, ii. 716. Mar. Hil. Rec. Rot. 35. 



CORNARD (GREAT). 89 

British Museum. 1 Also extracts from the Rolls for 1674-5, 1698, and 
1711 will be found in the same Collection. 2 

GREY'S MANOR. 

This manor at an early date belonged also to the Cornards. It seems 
to have been held by Domina de Cornard in I3i6, 3 but we have no definite 
particulars till the early part of the reign of Edw. II. when the manor 
was vested in Thomas de Grey and Alice his wife daughter and heir of Sir 
Richard Cornerd knt. Thomas de Grey died in I32I 4 and was succeeded 
by his son and heir Sir Thomas de Grey. The manor then passed to William 
West of Cornard who was succeeded by his son and heir Thomas West 
who died in I5o8. 5 In his Inquisition p.m. the manor is stated to consist 
of 105 acres of land 90 acres of pasture 30 acres of wood, 10 acres of marsh 
and 3^. rent, and to be held of the King as of the Honor of Clare at the 
4th part of a knight's fee and to be of the annual value of 23. 6s. Thomas 
West was succeeded by his son and heir Edmund West one of whose 
daughters and co-heirs Margaret married Edmund Daniell of Acton and 
the other, Elizabeth, married John Bokenham who died in 1566. Three 
fines were levied in the reign of Edw. VI. one of the whole manor and the 
other two of a moiety. The first was in 1547 by John Bokenham and others 
against Robert Doundes and others f the second in 1549 by James 
Dounes and others against the said John Bokenham ; 7 and the third 
in 1550 by George Felton against Edmund Danyell and others. 8 A 
fourth fine was in 1592 levied by William Tyffyn against John Daniell. 9 
In 1599 Edmund Bokenham of Great Thornham son and heir of John 
succeeded his father, and in 1602 sold the manor to John Brond sen. 10 
In 1844, 1855, and 1885 a Thomas Fitch was owner of this manor. 

In a paper by the Rev. George Crabbe on the De Greys of Little Cor- 
nard printed in vol. vi. p. 38 of the Publications of the Suffolk Institute 
we find some notes relative to the Cornard property. One note is to the 
effect that Thomas de Grey sold his Cornard property to his brother William 
de Grey Esq. in 1770 for 5,785 ; and in a paper in the handwriting of Thomas 
2nd Lord Walsingham it is stated that his father the Chief Justice bought in 
the year of the general election, Grey's Hall in Suff . for 5,700. Also an extract 
from the Ipswich Journal Aug. 2, 1788, i.e., 7 years after the death of the 
Chief Justice whose estates passed to his only son : "To be sold by auction 
at Garroway's coffee house on the 2ist August a valuable freehold estate 
situate in the parishes of Little Cornerd, Newton, and Assington comprising 
the Manor of Grey's." 

The writer from the above notes observes that it seems as if a Manor 
of Grey's in Cornard had been in the de Grey family till 1788. 



1 Add. Ch. 24720-24740. 6 Fine, Hil. i Edw. VI. 

* Add. Ch. 14359-14362. ' Fine, Easter 3 Edw. VI. 

3 Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 19077 p. 259, 8 Fine, Mich. 4 Edw. VI. 

et seq. Fine, Hil. 35 Eliz. 

4 I.P.M., 15 Edw. II. 22. I0 Fine, Mich. 44 and 45 Eliz. 

5 I.P.M., 24 Hen. VII. 77, Add. MSS. 

19077 p. 272. 




90 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

CORNARD (LITTLE). 

| HE entry in Domesday which probably comprised the land 
forming subsequently the manors of this place is that of 
the Encroachments upon the King. 

In the Confessor s time Aluric Campo held 2 freemen 
under commendation only, in the Abbot of Bury's soc, but 
after the Conquest Wisgar encroached thereon before 
the agreement with Richard son of Gislebert was made 
under which the latter then held. These freemen had 2 carucates 
of land and 40 acres, 4 bordars, 5 slaves, 3 ploughteams in demesne, wood 
for 30 hogs, 8 acres of meadow, 3 horses, also a church living with 15 acres 
of free land, the whole valued at 20 shillings. By the time of the Great 
Survey the number of bordars had increased to u, but the slaves were one 
less, the 3 ploughteams in demesne were then between the lord of the 
demesne and his men ; the horses seem to have disappeared, but in their 
place we find 4 beasts, 30 hogs and no sheep and the value had been raised 
to 6 pounds. It (which we presume to mean Little Cornard) was 8 quaran- 
tenes long and 4 broad and paid in a gelt, whoever held, 24^.' 

MANOR OF LITTLE CORNARD. 

This manor was held in 1333 by John Somersham of Weld co. Herts 
who also held the Manor of Peacocks in Little Cornard. It is stated in 
the able paper of Mr. Crabbe, to which we have already referred, that the 
Manor of Little Cornard must soon after have passed to the De Greys and 
he bases this on the statement in Sir Roger de Grey's will of the 22 Dec. 
1371 that he " eit enfeoffe Monsieur William Baude [and others] en les 
Manores de Cavendysshe peti Cornerthe," &c., but we venture to doubt 
whether this was the case. The manor referred to in Sir Roger's will was 
more probably that of Cawstons or Caxtons in Little Cornard of which he 
undoubtedly was seised at the time of making the feoffment referred to. 
The Manor of Little Cornard probably passed to John Somersham's 
daughter and co-heir Margery who married William Ashe of Weld whose 
will was proved the 5 July 1411. They had a son John Somersham who 
was living in 1411 but died without issue, and a daughter Elizabeth whose 
will is dated the 29 Apr. 1455. She married Thomas de Frowyke whose 
will was proved the 17 May 1448. Their son Henry Frowyke was lord of 
this manor and Peacocks and probably sold the same to his cousin Sir 
Thomas de Frowyke of Gunnersbury who was the son of Sir Henry de 
Frowyke brother of Sir Thomas de Frowyke who married the granddaughter 
of John Somersham. 

Sir Thomas de Frowyke married Joan daughter and heir of Richard 
Sturgeon and by his will proved the 10 November 1485 he settled this 
manor upon his wife for life with remainder to his younger son Thomas 
in tail with an ultimate remainder to his eldest son Henry in tail. Sir 
Thomas Frowyke the son succeeded on the death of his mother 
in 1500. He was Chief Justice of the Common Pleas and died without 
issue the 17 Oct. 1506 when the manor under the entail created by his 
father's will passed to his nephew Thomas Frowyke son of his brother 
Sir Henry Frowyke of Gunnersbury who had died in his younger brother's 
lifetime on the 3 Oct. 1504 and whose will was proved the 15 Nov. 1505. 

1 Dom. ii. 448. 



CORNARD V LITTLE). 9I 

In the Inquis. p.m. of this Sir Henry Frowyke it is stated that he held the 
Manor of Little Cornard and the advowson (it must then have been in 
remainder only) of the King as of the Manor of Clare by an unknown 
service and the value was 20 a year and that Thomas was his son and 
heir. 1 The manor seems to have actually passed to his 2nd son Henry 
(the eldest Thomas being probably a Priest and taking the Manor of Peacock) 
whose will is dated the 5 Feb. 1520. He died apparently without issue 
and the manor passed to his sister Elizabeth married to Sir John Spelman* 
and then to their son and heir Henry Spelman. Before 1596 the manor had 
passed from the Spelmans to the White family, for in that year Peter and 
John White conveyed it to Edward Curtis and John Chayce. In 1637 
it was held by Sir Robert Crane of Chilton and passed in that year to the 
Newman family after which it seems to have passed out of existence, but 
it may be the manor is now vested in William Prigg of Great Cornard. 

Releases and acquittances for homage, &c., in this manor in 1298 and 
1299 will be found amongst the Harleian Charters in the British Museum. 3 

MANOR OF CAWSTON OR CAXTON'S MANOR. 

This manor belonged to the Caxton family before it came to the De 
Greys, but it seems to have been held in the time of King John by Sir 
Peter Braunch in right of his wife Joan. Richard Caketon had free warren 
in Little Cornard and Bures in 1296-70.* From the Caxtons the manor 
appears to have passed to Sir Richard Cornerd and on the marriage of his 
daughter Alice to Sir Thomas de Grey son of John de Grey of Cavendish 
to have passed into the De Grey family. 5 

Alice survived Sir Thomas, and on the Patent Rolls will be seen a com- 
mission on complaint of this Alice, described as late wife of Thomas de 
Grey, that William Botevellyn and others entered the Manor of Cornerthe, 
meaning no doubt this Caxton's Manor, broke the doors and windows of 
her houses and drove away n horses, 16 oxen, a bull, 12 cows, and 160 sheep 
worth 50 and carried away other goods. 6 On the same Rolls and the same 
year there is a commission issued no doubt on what was a kind of counter- 
charge by William Boteryleyn. He complains that Alice late wife of Thomas 
de Grey, Thomas her son and others drove away 10 horses, 12 colts, 8 oxen, 
a bull, 20 cows and 120 sheep worth 100 at Little Cornard and carried away 
other goods. 7 William was not nearly so moderate in his estimate of value 
as his fair adversary Alice. 

There is an early rental " Caxton. Rental d'ni Thorn, de Grey 
milit de ten'tibus suis que q'nd' fuer' Ric'i de Caxston p'tinent ' ad 
man ' s'm in Cometh p'ua." It seems a somewhat moot point whether 
the manor passed direct from Richard Caxton to Sir Thomas Grey or 
through Sir Richard Cornerd and his daughter. The above extract does 
not seem inconsistent with either supposition. From another rental of 
the lands of John Pecok in Cornerth Parva dated the 28 Edw. III. [1354] 
" Thomas de Grey Miles holds lands lately acquired, which were those of 
Walter Caxton." This is, of course, an entry relating to Sir Thomas the 
son of Sir Thomas de Grey and does not of necessity, nor indeed probably, 

' I.P.M., 21 Hen. VII. 97; Brit. Mus. < Chart. Rolls, 54 Hen. III. i ; H.R. ii. 

Add. MSS. 19077 p. 276. 153, 195. 

' Her will was proved the 10 Feb. 1556-7, s See De Grey's Manor, Cavendish, in this 

and his the 3 Feb. 1545. Hundred. 

3 Harl. 54 A. 29, Harl. 45 F. i. 6 Pat. Rolls, 4 Edw. III. pt. i. 

' Pat. Rolls, 4 Edw. III. pt. i. 



92 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

relate to the manor. The last mentioned Sir Thomas de Grey married 
Isabel eldest daughter and co-heir of Fulk Baynard of Merton and had 
Mi-rton Manor in Norfolk and other places for her share in her father's 
estate. At Sir Thomas Grey's death the manor passed to his eldest son 
Sir Roger Grey, who held his ist Court for the Manor of Caxton 37 Edw. III. 
[1363] and married Margaret daughter of Sir Roger Clifton and brother of 
Sir Adam. Sir Roger Grey by his will proved in 1371 declares that he had 
enfeoffed Sir William Bawde Priest and others of his Manor of Little Cor- 
nerth (more accurately Caxton Manor in Little Cornard) and ordered 
his father Sir Thomas Grey's debt to be paid and that Alice his wife should 
have an annuity of 20 marks per annum and Mr. Thomas Grey his brother 
another of the same sum, and the manor of Little Heneye with lol. per 
annum to go to two Priests yearly ; the profit of his Manor of Hadeston 
or Bernwell to raise portions for his two daughters, and if Thomas his son 
should die before either of his daughters' marriages then their fortunes to 
be at the disposition of Sir William Bawde. The will is dated at Dover 
and is in French. 

The following year 1372 an assignation of dower was made out of 
Caxton's Manor to Margaret the widow of Sir Roger. The document 
contains a description of the portion of the manor house assigned to her 
and is given by Mr. Crabbe in his account of the De Greys already referred 
to. It is interesting as showing the kind of accommodation at the time 
which the manor afforded. 

" Caxton. To wit. Assignment of the dower of the wife of Dominus 
Roger de Grey, knight, anno 46. First, there are delivered to her, within 
the site of the manor, one grange next the gate ; one chamber next Strau- 
hous ; one cattle shed on the north part, with one chamber next the under 
solar ; Item, one other chamber in the dairy (" Deieria ") (?) on the north 
part ; Item, one parcel of the cart house on the south part, and a dove cote 
in common. Item, there is delivered to her that part of the garden which 
lies on the west part, as it is divided by the other boundaries ; excepting 
the lord shall water his beasts there, and shall have, if he wishes it, water 
for his expense there. Item, there is delivered to her common rights 
(' communia ') in the court of the said manor, to administer her goods 
and chattels there, with free ingress and egress. Sum of the value per 
annum beyond the reprises nothing." 

Then follows the description and value of the lands assigned as the 
dower which is valued in the whole at xili. ixs. vid. called also the third 
part of the Manor of Caxtones. Mr. Crabbe adds, " From the above we 
can picture to ourselves the manor house which no doubt was surrounded 
by yards, gardens, orchards and farm buildings. A gate [house] with a 
granary next it leads to the Court. [The lady has, in common with the 
lord's family, when they reside at the manor, the use of the hall, the chapel, 
the kitchens and offices.] For her private use she has a chamber next the 
lord's parlour or solar and for her servants a chamber next the straw- 
house, and a chamber next the dairy. For the farming of her share of 
the demesne she has a cattle shed, a barn and part of the cart-house. A 
specified part of the garden is assigned her ; it has a pond or moat where 
the lord may water his cattle." 

Thomas the son and heir died a minor without issue. 1 He had two 
sisters Margaret married to Sir Thomas Shardelowe and Joan married to 
Thomas Pynchbek. Margaret had died in 1382 the year before her brother 

I.P.M., 7 Rich. II. 41. 



CORNARD (LITTLE). 93 

without issue and Joan died subsequently leaving a son Richard who died 
under age and the manor passed to Thomas de Grey the brother of Sir 
Roger who died seised before 1404, for in that year Fulk de Grey son of 
Fulk de Grey and of Margaret his wife and nephew and heir to Thomas de 
Grey had livery. He married Eleanor Barnardeston. 

In the eighth year of King Hen. VI. [1429-30] the Court of the manor 
was held by Sir Robert Clyfton and Alice his wife probably as guardians 
of William de Grey the infant heir of Fulk de Grey. Fulk de Grey the son 
was succeeded by his son William de Grey who married Christina daughter 
and co-heir of John Manning of Great Elingham. By his will the 3 Nov. 
1474 he ordered his body to be buried in St. Peter's Church, Merton by 
the side of Christina his wife. The stone is in the middle aisle and has 
5 escutcheons, the first with the arms of Grey, the second Grey quartering 
Baynard, the third Grey again, the fourth is Manning, and the fifth Grey 
impaling Manning, and an inscription which is given by Blomefield. 1 His son 
William de Grey succeeded. He was married twice, first to Mary daughter 
of Sir Henry Bedingfield of Oxburgh co. Norf. and 2ndly to Grace daughter 
of Thomas Teye widow of Francis Hethe of Worlington to whose two 
daughters he was guardian. He died the 12 Feb. 10 Hen. VII. leaving 
his son and heir Thomas aged 15. 2 Against the north wall of the 
Church of Merton is a monument to this William de Grey and his two 
wives, his effigies in armour with the arms of Grey and Baynard quartered. 
He is in a kneeling posture, having his helmet lying by him, a scrowl and 
Grey's arms quartering Baynard, over his head behind him are his 5 
sons in loose gowns with a disrobed scrowl over their heads. Opposite 
to him is Mary Bedingfield, his first wife, kneeling with her three daughters 
behind her. Over her head is another imperfect scrowl and the arms of 
Grey, quartering Baynard, impaling Bedingfield, quartering Tudenham. 
Behind them is Grace Teye, his second wife, and behind her their two 
daughters with dishevelled hair. Over her has been a scrowl besides the 
arms of Grey quartering Baynard impaling Teye of Essex. A fesse in chief 
between three martlets and in base a chevron. Thomas de Grey, eldest son of 
William by his first wife succeeded as lord on his father's death, and held 
Courts for this manor to the time of his death, his last Court being held the 21 
Nov. 2 and 3 Phil, and Mary [1555]. He married Elizabeth daughter of 
Sir Richard Fitz-Lewes knt. but had no children, according to Blomefield. 
After his wife's death he was ordained Priest and lived till 1556, being 
ultimately buried with his wife in the south aisle of Merton Church where 
against the wall is an inscription on a brass plate as follows : 

In this He lyeth buried under one stone 
Thomas de Grey Esquire and Elizabeth his 
Wife, Dawghter of Sir Rycharde Fitz-Lewes 
Knight and after her desease made himselfe 
Preast and so lived xli. yeares and departed 
Out of this Lyfe the first of Septembre 1556. 

Arms : De Grey quartering Baynard, impaling Fitz-Lewes, A chev. 
between 3 trefoils. 

William Grey a member of a branch of the family living at or near 
Cornard was lord in 1556, in fact succeeded on the death of Thomas de Grey 
the Priest, and in the sixth year of Queen Eliz. was still lord. On his death, 

' Hist, of Norf. i. 579, fol. ed. Illustrated 5 Inquis. u Hen. VII. 1204. 
in Church Heraldry of Norfolk, vol. ii., 
141. 



94 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK 

probably in 1572, the manor reverted to Robert de Grey of Merton the son 
of Edmund de Grey who was according to Mr. Crabbe the son of Thomas 
de Grey the priest but according to Blomefield, his brother. Amongst 
the Chancery Proceedings in the time of Elizabeth we meet with a claim 
by Thomas Graye under a settlement to an annuity granted by Robert 
Gray out of his manor of Caxstone to plaintiff and the heirs male of his 
body. 1 

We find in 1586 that the heading of the Court is " Curia Joh' is ffortes- 
cewe Armig'i firmarij Rob'ti de Graye Armig'i Mr. Crabbe suggests, 

and no doubt the surmise is correct, that John Fortescue got a lease of the 
manor in the interest of Robert de Grey and to prevent it falling into the 
hands of the Government, for Robert de Grey on account of his recusancy, 
besides enormous fines forfeited by law all the goods and chattels and 
two-thirds of the profits of his estates. By 1597-8 the manor had come 
back to Robert de Grey, for he is called lord, and the Court is held in his 
name. He married Anne daughter of Sir Thomas Lovell of Harling, knt. 
and died the 28 Feb. 1600, being buried in the chancel of Merton Church. By 
his will in 1600 he leaves his manors, of which " Cackstones " is one, in trust 
for his son William. But " if William fortune to dye before he comyth 
to the age of one and twenty yeares " then the said manors are to go to 
" Thomas de Grey the sonne of WiU'um de Grey late of Lytle Cornard and 
to his heirs male." On the yth Aug. 1601 the Queen " did demyse and 
graunte unto Danyell Curtis gent, for 21 years the manor and woods of 
Caxtons in Cornerd, p'cell of the lands and possessions of Rob'te de Grey 
of Marten Esquier, recusant deceased " for payment and satisfaction of 
the fines due to the Crown for his recusancy, the manor then being in the 
tenure and occupation of Danyel Curtis gent, and two others. However, 
in 1604 James I. discharged William de Grey from all the fines due by his 
father, and on the 26 May 3 James I. [1605] we find " Sir William de Graye 
knt. son and heir of Robert de Graye Arm." holding a court for the Manor 
of Caxton's. 

This Sir William Grey married Anne daughter of Sir James Calthorp of 
Cockthorp knt. and died Oct. 19, 1632 seised of the manor and lies buried in 
the Chancel of Merton Church by his father's side. By an Inquisition p.m. 
taken at Norwich the 4 Jan. 8 Car. [1632] Sir William Grey was found to 
have died seised of this manor valued at 3. 6s. Sd. Amongst the papers in 
the muniment room at Merton is a paper in this Sir William de Grey's 
handwriting stating that the value of " the ffarms and rentes of the Manor 
of Caxtons " was in 1624 163. 75. gd. 

Sir Robert Grey son and heir of Sir William was 20 years of age at 
his father's death and was knighted with Christopher Athoe of Bichamwell 
by Charles the First June 23, 1641. He married Elizabeth daughter and 
co-heir of William Bridon of Ipswich and died the 20 Oct. 1644 having 
had issue one son, William, who died a minor, and two daughters Barbara 
and Anne. Sir Robert Grey was succeeded by his brother James Grey 
who married Eliz. daughter of Sir Martin Stutevile of Dalham knt. They 
are buried under a black marble in the Chancel of the Church of Merton 
with the following inscriptions : 

Quarterly of six : i, Grey, viz., Barry of 6 with an amulet ; 2, 
Cornerd ; 3, Baynard ; 4, A Bend ; 5, Barnardiston ; 6, Manning, impaling 
Stuteville, a Saltire engrailed ermine, surmounted by the crest of Grey. 

C.P. i. 341. 



CORNARD (LITTLE). 95 

Exuviae. 

Viri Honorabilis Jacobi de Grey Armigeri, Filij 
Secundi Gulielmi de Grey militis, et Dominae 
Annae Uxoris suae, qui ex Elizabetha, Filia 

Martini Stutfield de Dalham in Agro 

Suffolciensi militis, charissima Sponsa prolem 

Reliquit, Gulielmum de Grey Armigerum, Filium 

Unicum, Elizabethan!, Susannam et Annam 
Filias ; et tertio Die mensis Junij Anno Dni : M.DCLXV. Spiritual Deo reddidit et in 

Pace hie requiescit, Carnis Resurrectionem 
Expectans Gloriosam, in Adventu Salvatoris 

Domini nostri Jesu Christi. 

In memoriam Conjugis clarissimi 

Et merentissimi 

Marmor hoc 
Reponendum curavit. 

Also under this stone lieth the body of Elizabeth de Grey Daughter 
of Sir Martin Stutevile of Dalham in the County of Suffolk knt. 
She departed this Life upon the I5th day of September 1696 in the 
Both year of her age, her whole Life having bene a continued 
Example of great Vertu and Prudence. 

William de Grey their only son succeeded and held his first Court for 
this manor the 16 May 1677. There is a note of his at Merton as follows : 
" Quitt Rent Caxton's Manor. Md. The settled Rents of my Rentall, which 
are payable every Mich, come to yeerly 3. 135. 2%d." He was a Burgess 
in Parliament for Thetford in 1685, and married Elizabeth sister and co- 
heir of Thomas Bedingfield of Darsham. He died in 1687, being succeeded 
by his son and heir Thomas de Grey who was member of Parliament for Thet- 
ford in 1705 and again in 1708. He married Elizabeth daughter of William 
Wyndham of Felbrigge in Norfolk, and had besides other issue, a son and 
heir, Thomas de Grey, educated at Christ College, Cambridge, and after- 
wards in the Secretary of State's office. He represented the county of 
Norfolk in 1768, and on his death the manor passed to his brother, 
Sir William de Grey. Mr. Crabb states that in 1769 the annual value of 
Caxton's, then the property of Thomas de Grey, and being in extent 269 acres, 
was 115. 

Sir William Grey was a lawyer of some eminence Chief Justice of 
the Common Pleas in 1771 and advanced to the Peerage as Baron Walsing- 
ham of Walsingham co. Norfolk the 17 Oct. 1780. He married Mary 
daughter of William Cowper of The Park co. Hertford and dying in 1781 
was succeeded by his son Thomas 2nd Baron Walsingham who married 
Augusta Georgiana Elizabeth only daughter of Sir William Irby ist Lord 
Boston. The 2nd Baron Walsingham occupied for 20 years the office of 
Chairman of the Committees of the House of Lords, and was granted by 
the Prince Regent upon retiring in 1814, a pension of 2,000 a year for life. 
He died the i6th Jan. 1818 and was succeeded by his son George 3rd Baron 
who married Matilda eldest daughter of Paul Cobb Methuen of Corsham, 
but had no issue. He was burnt to death, together with his wife, at their 
house in Harley Street the 26 Apr. 1831, and was succeeded by his brother 
Thomas 4th Baron, in holy orders, Archdeacon of Surrey, prebendary of Win- 
chester and Rector of Fawley Hants, and of Merton, Norfolk. He married 
Elizabeth, youngest daughter of the Hon. and Right Rev. Brownlow 
North, Bishop of Winchester and dying the 7th Sept. 1839 was succeeded 
by Thomas 5th Baron Walsingham, who married Augusta Louisa eldest 
daughter of Sir Robert Frankland Russell Bart., and had by her a son 
Thomas who on the death of his father in 1870 succeeded to the lordship 



96 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

of Caxton's Manor as 6th Baron Walsingham and the same is now held by 
him. 

The Court Rolls of this manor are preserved at Merton. They begin 
1277 and end 1619 and are as follows : 5, 10 and 13 Edw. I., ist, i2th, 
i8th Edw. II., 38, 39, 51 Edw. III., 4th to 19 and 23 to 50 Edw. III., 
ist to 18 Rich. II., 7th, gth, i$th Hen. IV., 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th Hen. V., 
8 to 38th Hen. VI., 4th and I2th Edw. IV., 2nd and 7th Hen. VII., 10, 19, 
27, 3ist, 35th Hen. VIII., 2nd and 3rd and 3rd and 4th Phil, and Mary, 
6th, 28th, 4Oth Elizabeth, 3rd to i6th James. Notes of certain Courts 
3rd James to 1720, as also Rentals of this manor in 1475, c. 1480, 1486-7, 
1515-16, 2 and 3 Phil, and Mary, 3rd, I3th, i6th James I., 1626, 29, 33, 
77, 78, 81, 87, 91 are likewise at Merton. 

PEACOCK'S HALL MANOR. 

This manor together with the advowson seems to have been held in 
the I3th century by the Weylands. A fine was levied respecting these 
in 1287 by Richard de Weyland against Thomas de Weyland. 1 In 
1320 we meet with another fine, John le Tornour of Redbourne chaplain 
v. John son of Robert Pecok of Redbourne senior and Matilda his wife of the 
advowson and part of the manor (Robert son of Herbert Weyland, William 
de Symplyngford and Joan his wife, Olivia de Stratton and Clementina 
his wife appon clam). 1 Thirteen years later manor and advowson were 
vested in John Somersham of Asham lord of Cornard. 

The advowson of Little Cornard seems always to have pertained to this 
manor and continued to do so at least until 1792 ; consequently the presenta- 
tions thereto may be of some help in determining the Lords. William Ashe 
married Margaret daughter and co-heir of John Somersham, but in 1368 
John Pecok was Patron and certainly presented to the living in 1371 and 
John Swanburne in 1392. 

William Ashe's daughter Elizabeth married Thomas Frowyke and he 
presented in 1426. His will was proved the 17 Mar. 1448 and he was 
buried at St. Mimms. In 1449 Elizabeth Frowyke presented. Her will 
is dated the 29 April 1455. Her son and heir Henry Frowyke appears as 
lord in 1461, no doubt on the death of his mother, and probably sold this 
manor and advowson in 1471 to his cousin Thomas Frowyke the son of Sir 
Henry brother of Thomas Frowyke who had married Elizabeth Ashe. The 
assurance seems to have been effected by a fine levied by Thomas Frowyke 
of London and Joan his wife, John Warde citizen and alderman of London, 
Thomas Bledlowe of London, John Ward of London, and Reginald Asshe 
of London v. Henry Frowyke and Joan his wife. 3 Sir Thomas was of Gunners- 
bury and his will was proved the 10 Nov. 1485. He married Joan daughter 
and heir of Richard Sturgeon. Davy seems to think that Henry Frowyke 
did not sell this manor but that it descended to his son Thomas of Old 
Fold in 1475, but as Dame Joan the widow of Henry's cousin Sir Thomas 
presented in 1490 the above statement is probably correct. The manor 
on Sir Thomas Frowyke's death passed to his son Sir Thomas Frowyke 
Chief Justice of the Common Pleas who died the 17 Oct. 1506 when the 
manor passed to his nephew Thomas Frowyke who was probably a Priest. 
This Thomas was the son of Sir Henry Frowyke whose will was proved 
15 Nov. 1505 by his second wife Margaret daughter of Sir Ralph Leigh 
and widow of Walter Ford, and on Thomas Frowyke's decease the manor 

1 Feet of Fines, 15 Edw. I. 61, > Feet of Fines, n Edw. IV. 25. 

Feet of Fines, 14 Edw. II. 42. 



CORNARD (LITTLE). 97 

passed to Sir Michael Fisher knt. of Elstow co. Beds., who had married 
Margaret the only child of Sir Henry Frowyke by his first wife Joan daughter 
of John Danvers, the husband therefore of Thomas's half sister. A fine 
was levied of the manor in 1530 by William Marten and others against 
this Sir Michael Fisher and others. 1 On Sir Michael Fisher's death his 
widow held for life, and on her death the manor passed to her grandchild 
Agnes the daughter of her son Sir John Fisher knt. by Anne daughter of 
John ist Lord Mordaunt. Agnes Fisher married Oliver St. John created 
Lord St. John of Bletshoe. On the Memoranda Rolls i and 2 Phil, and 
Mary is an order that Oliver St. John and his wife shew title to the Manor 
of Cornard (Peacock's no doubt) 2 and in 1565 they were deforciants in a 
fine levied of the manor by Edmund Felton 3 who had purchased the 
property. By 1583 the manor had passed to Thomas Felton. Mr. Crabbe 
cites a document at Merton Hall written in the time of James I. which 
certainly demonstrates this. It states that " Mr. ffelton about the xxvth 
yere of the late Queen [Elizabeth] was desirous or rather importunate to 
hyer the manno' of Cawsones in Suff. belonging to one Robert de Gray, a 
recusant, the same adioyning to a manno of ffelton's called Peacock Hall 
since solde awaie by him." A fine of the manor in 1584 was levied of the 
manor by Nicholas Grymshawe (probably as a trustee) against the said 
Thomas Felton 4 for 9 years later the said Thomas Felton sold the manor 
to Peter White 5 who four years later sold the same to Edward Curtis. 6 

There is a fine in 1588 of the " Cornard Manor " levied by William 
Tyffen and others against John Fortescue and others. 7 

Amongst the Chancery Proceedings of the reign of Queen Elizabeth 
will be found an action by this Edward Curtis and John Chase against 
Thomas Felton Eleanor his wife and others as to deeds in connection with 
the Manor of Cornard otherwise Peacock's Hall and lands in Great and 
Little Cornard formerly the estate of Edward Felton. 8 

Daniel Curtis was apparently lord in 1607 for he then presented to 
the living. In 1633 Thomas Blyth presented and in 1637-8 the manor 
belonged to Sir Robert Crane of Chilton knt. who in that year conveyed it 
for 2,320 to Thomas Newman of Little Cornard and Margaret his wife. The 
latter died the 27 May 1664 and the former was buried 16 August 1680. 
Thomas Newman succeeded and presented in 1681 . The next presentation to 
the living in 1714 was made by Laurence Gibbon. Later Katharine Gibbon, 
Thomas Newman, Mary Newman and Elizabeth Grossman presented, and 
in 1792 Edward Green and Elizabeth his wife and John Newman. One 
of the Newmans, Ann, in 1749 married Robert Sparrow and Newman 
Sparrow their son built the present Peacock Hall in 1798 and was living 
there in 1800. 

Two generations of Sparrows succeeded and the manor and property 
passed by purchase in 1875 to George Munford. It next vested in Durrante 
Cardinal and was then acquired by George Coote who held the same in 
1896 and from him it passed to and is now vested in William Prigg of Great 
Cornard. 

SERLES MANOR. 

Guy Corbet brother of Sir Robert Corbet seems to have had the lord- 
ship in 1426. Guy Corbet made his will in 1433 and died the same year 

1 Fine, Mich. 22 Hen. VIII. 5 Fine Trin. 35 Eliz. 

' Memoranda, i and 2 P. and M. ; Hil. 6 Fine, HiL, 39 Eliz. 

Rec. Rot. 35. ' Fine, Hil. 30 Eliz. 

3 Fine, Easter, 7 Eliz. 8 C.P. i. 212. 

4 Fine, Trin. 26 Eliz. 



98 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

leaving his widow Joan and a son afterwards Sir Robert Corbet. The 
widow, who held in dower, died in 1439, and the Inquisition p.m. then 
taken included 80 acres of land, 5 of meadow, 2 of wood and 525. i$d. of 
rent in Little Cornard and Bures held as of the Honor of Hatfield Peverell. ' 
Sir Robert Corbet succeeded and died in 1478* when the manor passed to 
his son and heir Robert who was succeeded by his son and heir Robert 
Corbet.' Robert Corbet was succeeded by Sir Richard Corbet who died 
25 June 1524* leaving a son Richard who died in 1544 when the manor 
apparently went to another Richard Corbet, for in 1555 a fine of it was 
levied by William Humberton and others against him. Later the 
manor was purchased by Robert Gurdon. The devolution subsequently 
is identical with Assington Manor and is not therefore here given. 

CATCHELEIGH, APPULGARYS, FOLYBROK and CANEWORTH MANORS. 

These appear to have been subsidiary manors to Caxton's and to have 
become merged in it. We meet with Caneworth Manor under the name 
" Cannewykes Manor " in a fine levied in 1307 by Richard son of Henry 
son of Nicholas de St. Edmund's and Isabella his wife against John 
de Lincoln and Edmund de Neketon. 5 In the muniment room at 
Merton there are records of the Courts of " ffulybrok " held 1328-9 and a 
Rental of 1475 states that " ffolybrok " is situated in Bures, though it is 
part of Caxton's. Robertus Lay de ffulybrok is mentioned in a Court of 
4 Edw. IV. 

There are records of the Courts of Appylgare held 21 and 23 Rich. II. 
and in a Rental about 1354 Dominus Willielmus Appilgare is mentioned, 
a member of the family, no doubt, from which the manor derived its name. 
The Court Rolls of Caneworth, 4 and 5 Edw. III., are also preserved at 
Merton. It does not appear that any separate Court of any of these small 
manors was held after the time of Rich. II., and a Rental of Caxton's Manor 
about 1480 is headed "Caxtones in Cornerth p'va cum Catcheleigh appul- 
garys et ffolybrok." An earlier Rental in 1443 had the heading " Caxton 
in Cateheleigh Appulgares Holybrok." 6 



I.P.M., Joan wife of Guy Corbet, 17 5 Feet of Fines, i Edw. II. 34. 

Hen. VI. 24. " The de Greys of Little Cornard, by the 

I.P.M., 18 Edw. IV. 19. Rev. Geo. Crabbe, Suff. Inst. vi. 

I.P.M., i and 2 Hen. VIII. 30, 31. 
I.P.M., 16 Hen. VIII. 33. 



EDWARDSTONE. 



EDWARDSTONE. 



99 




|N the Confessor's time Godwin son of Alfer held under the 
King 4 carucates of land as a manor with soc. There was 
a church living with 30 acres of free land. The details 
of the holding were as follows : 10 villeins, 7 bordars, 6 
slaves, 3 ploughteams in demesne, 6 belonging to the men, 
8 acres of meadow, wood for 10 hogs, a winter mill, 2 
horses at the Hall, 17 beasts, 60 hogs, 80 sheep, all valued at 
100 shillings. 

At the time of the Great Survey the value had risen considerably, 
for it was placed at 7 pounds, the manor being then held by Hubert of 
Robert Malet the tenant in chief. The villeins had by degrees come down 
first to 9 and then to 6, but the bordars had increased by 6. There were 
2 fewer slaves and the ploughteams in demesne were only two and those 
of the men but 3, while there was but one horse at the Hall. 

One looks in vain for any evidence of actual rise in value in these 
figures, and besides there were but n beasts in place of 17, 37 hogs in place 
of 60 and 22 sheep in lieu of 80. 

In this place there were also 9 socmen having half a carucate of land, 
with formerly a whole ploughteam but then but half a team, all included 
in the above valuation. The manor was 6 quanxntenes in length and 6 in 
breadth and paid in a gelt lod. whoever the tenant might be.' 

EDWARDSTONE MANOR. 

The Hubert who held the manor of Robert Malet in the time of William 
the Conqueror was no doubt Hubert de Munchensi or Montchensey. The 
family came into England at the Conquest and we find the name on the Roll of 
Battle Abbey. Hubert gave about the year 1114 the Church of Edwardstone 
and all its appurtenances lands and tithes in the same town, 2 acres of 
land near the church and divers properties in other parishes to the Monastery 
of Abingdon in Berkshire. He also made various grants of lands 
to the monks of Eye andThetford. " It is said that this Hubert," observes 
Dugdale, " had issue Warine de Munchensi, and he another Hubert which 
is likely enough to be true ; for in 1187 it appears that Hubert de Mun- 
chensi was in ward to the Bishop of Ely with his land at Stretford, part of 
the Honor of Henry de Essex. At the same time also Agnes de Munchensi 
(widow of Warine as I guess) daughter of Payne Fitz-John then sixty years 
of age had three sons, viz., Ralph and William both knights and Hubert a 
clerk ; as also two daughters, the one married to Stephen de Glanville 
and the other to William Painell, her lands at Holkam in Norfolk being 
then valued at eleven pounds per annum." 

The Hubert entered on the Domesday Survey seems to have had a 
grandson Hubert and this is the man often mistaken for his grandfather. 
Davy who probably followed Gipps and Blomefield makes Warin to be 
the son of the Domesday Hubert, while Page makes Hubert, the son of the 
Domesday Hubert to have this manor. Of course the difficulty might 
be met by supposing the second Hubert to be the brother of Warin. 

We find that Hubert the grandson was a benefactor about the year 1160 

1 Dom. ii. 304. 



ioo THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

to the Abbey of Colne in Essex, the Convent of which appointed two monks 
to pray for his father's soul in their church of Edwardstone, and afterwards 
to pray for Hubert's soul and those of his heirs in the church of Colne. 
The monks who had been placed by Hubert the elder at Edwardstone were 
removed by Abbot Wakelin to Colne in Essex which was also a cell to 
Abingdon and in their stead two secular priests continued to pray in the 
Church of Edwardstone according to the will of Hubert the younger. The 
impropriation of the great tithes of the parish was given to Colne by Hubert 
and so remained until the dissolution. " It is probable," says Page, " here 
was no more than a residence for the officiating monks ; and the endow- 
ments of this cell were annexed in 1559 to the see of Ely in exchange with 
the Crown for some valuable manorial property. The Bishop of Ely 
pays to the Vicar of this church after the rate of twelve pence a day, or 
18. 55. per annum." 1 The second Hubert married according to Gipps, 
Muriell daughter of Peter de Valoignes and had issue by her William 
de Munchensi who was a great soldier and in high esteem with Edw. I. and 
the whole Kingdom ; but according to Morant and the Davy MSS. this 
Hubert had a son and heir William and he a son and heir Warin 
de Munchensi who was the great soldier in the time of Edw. I. In fact, Davy 
introduces another generation. The Warin who was son of the Domesday 
tenant in chief according to Dugdale married Agnes daughter of Payn 
Fitz-John and brother of Ralph and had issue not only Hubert but 
also a son Sir William de Munchensi to whom Hen. II. at the end of his 
reign made various grants of land in Norfolk. He was the father of Warin 
and William. Warm had lands in Suffolk, for in 1250 the King enfeoffed 
to him all the liberties belonging to the lands of Ralph de Munchensi 
his uncle whose heir he was, all which were first granted by Hen. II., 
amongst which the tenants in Winfarthing co. Norfolk were excused from 
the Sheriff's turn and from toll and from serving upon any juries out of 
their manor, and he had assize of bread, ale and wine with combleet 
allowed him, and this further privilege that the King's bailiffs should 
not enter his baliwick of Winfarthing to take any distress but the bailiff 
of that baliwick should do it. This Sir Warin de Munchensi died in 1255 
being then reputed to be one of the most noble, prudent and wealthy men 
in all the realm ; his inventory amounted to 2,000 marks, a prodigious 
sum for that time. The younger son William de Munchensi had 
Edwardstone Manor. 

It is clear that a William de Montchensi had the lordship of this manor 
in the time of Edw. I. The descents from this man vary according to 
various writers. Gipps's account is absurd on the face of it, but it 
will be better to give this and point out the inaccuracies. Gipps says 
speaking of this William he " was a great soldier and in high esteem with 
Edw. I. and the whole Kingdom as appears from a MS. in Sir Symonds 
Dews's Library, which gives this account of his death : ' Ds Will de 
Montchansey obsidebat quoddam Castrum in Wallia, et dum ipse et 
Familia sua quendam Murum effodebant, ut in dictum Castrum pateretur 
Ingressus, cecidit Murus super ipsum et Familiam suam, et ita in Amari- 
tudine Cordis, tamen Vultu incomposito, Tributum Mortis persolvebat. 
In cujus Casu tota Gens Anglicana condoluit, quia Miles strenuus et fortis, 
et in Bello circumspectus ab omnibus habebatur. Collect. Hist. D. Sym. 
Dews 1126.' This William de Montchansey marry 'd . . . the daughter 

1 Page, Hist, of Sufi. 937. 



EDWARDSTONE. 101 

of Dalbany Earl of Arundel by whom he had issue 2 sons Waryne, 1 the eldest, 
who died without issue, and Willm who marry'd Beatrix the daughter of 
Willm. Beauchamp and relict of Tho. Fitz-oates by whom he had issue one 
son Tho. born 32 Edw. 3 who was the father of Sr. Tho. de Montchansey 
who marry'd Beatrix the daughter of Sir Edmd. Vauncey and by her had 
Jane his sole daughter and heir marry'd to Sir Richd. Waldegrave. Sr. 
Tho. dy'd 29 Hen. 6. Now this William de Montchensi who lived in the 
time of Edw. I. had in the early part of that monarch's reign a grant of 
free warren in Edwardstone 2 and died in I286 3 being succeeded by his 
son and heir William. This last William is probably the William de 
Montecaniso of Edwardstone mentioned during the lifetime of his father 
in the Close Rolls in I275 4 and with his wife Beatrice in I278 5 and 
together with others mentioned as heirs of William de Bello Campo of 
Bedeford and of Amicia his wife. 6 He is also probably the person stated 
in the Patent Rolls in 1286 to have received a pardon for trespass. 7 

Notwithstanding the pardon he seems to have continued in prison 
for 4 years. On the Patent Rolls in 1290 there is a grant to Eleanor the 
King's Consort of the lands of William de Monte Caniso of Edwardston 
in prison for trespasses. 8 The following year, however, he is released, for 
on the same Rolls we find a mandate from the King to the Abbot of St. 
Edmunds to restore him the arms, vessels, robes, jewels and debts owing 
to him and taken into the Abbot's hands by reason of his late trespasses 
because William de Monte Caniso is about to go to Acre in the service of 
God. 9 Ministers' accounts of William's lands here 10 will be found in the 
Public Record Office." 

William died about 1302" ? leaving (it is apprehended) not a son 
Thomas as stated by Gipps but a son William who died in i3ig 13 
seised of the manor stated in the Close Rolls of that year to be held 
in chief as of the Honor of Eye 14 and in his Inquisition post mortem will 
actually be found an extent of the manor. He left a son William who at 
the time of his father's decease was an infant, and the custody of the manor 
seems to have been committed to Queen Isabella who granted the manor 
during the minority of the heir to John de Hothum bishop of Ely. 

The Bishop of Ely in 1322 by deed 16 September demised to Sir Robert 
de Bures and Andrew his son the wardship of the manor " held during the 
minority of Sir William de Mountchenesey.'" 5 William attained 21 and 
died in 1337 leaving Thomas his son or brother his successor. 16 

On the Close Rolls of this year will be found an order to the Escheator 
to give full seisin to this Thomas de Montecaniso son of William of the 
Manor of Edwardstone as William held in his demesne as of fee of the 
King as of the Honor of Eye which being then in the hands of Queen Isabella 
she committed the manor (in her hands by reason of the minority of William's 
heir) to John de Hothum bishop of Ely to hold until the heir should come 

1 This was the man who was so wealthy ' Pat. Rolls, 19 Edw. I. 18. 

that he was called the English 24 to 25 Edw. I. 

Croesus and died worth upwards ' Bundle 1090, No. 4. 

of 200,000 marks. 3 I.P.M., 30 Edw. I. 38. 

= H.R. ii. 143, 153. 3 I. P.M., 13 Edw. II. 26 ; I.Q.D., 10 Edw. 

3 I.P.M., 14 Edw. I. 27. II. 54. 

'Close Rolls, 3 Edw. II. 5^. Close Rolls, 13 Edw. II. 6. 

5 Close Rolls, 6 Edw. I. 7. 5 Ancient Deeds in Public Record Office 

6 Ib. 5- C. 1755- 

' Pat. Rolls, 14 Edw. I. 9. " I.P.M., n Edw. III. 18. 

8 Pat. Rolls, 18 Edw. 1. 2 ; 19 Edw. I. 21. 



102 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

of age. The honor had come into the King's hands on the death of John 
Earl of Cornwall. Thomas, William's son was next heir and of full age. 1 

There is evidently something wrong here if William de Montchensy 
last mentioned is intended, for he was a minor in 1322, it is not easy to 
see how his son could have been of full age in 1337. Assuming the father 
to have come of age in 1323, which is the very earliest possible date con- 
sistently with the demise of the Bishop of Ely in 1322, the son must have 
been born to his father at the somewhat early age of 7 ! 

Thomas de Montchensy probably settled the manor and advowson 
in 1360, for we meet with the following fine that year : Sir Ralph de Hemen- 
hale, John Edmund and Roger Aubrey v. Sir Thomas de Mountchensy. * 
He died shortly after and was succeeded by his son Thomas and he by 
his son Sir Thomas who married Beatrix the daughter of Sir Edmund 
Vauncey and died according to Gipps 29 Hen. VI. [1451]. 

If Sir Thomas Montchensy died as late as stated by Gipps he must have 
parted with the manor in his lifetime, for his daughter and heir married 
Sir Richard Waldegrave Lord of Bures and Silvesters, and according to the 
Davy MSS. Sir Richard Waldegrave granted the manor to Michael Blundell 
in 1420, with what object is not stated, but probably by way of Settle- 
ment. The manor is contained in the Inquisition post mortem (and an 
extent given) of Sir Richard Waldegrave who died the 2 May I434- 3 Jane, 
Sir Richard's wife, survived and held the manor till her death in 1450 4 
when she was succeeded by her son and heir Sir William Waldegrave, and 
the manor continued in the family till the time of the Sir William Walde- 
grave who died in 1613 by whom it was sold in 1598 to John Brand of 
Boxford a wealthy clothier. 5 Robert Brand Prior of Norwich who died 
in 1542 first advanced the Brands and so became founder as it were of 
the Brands of Edwardstone. The intermediate descents of the manor 
between the last two mentioned Sir William Waldegraves will be 
found under Smallbridge Manor in Bures and are not therefore 
here repeated ; but we may mention that this manor is specifically 
included in the Inquisition post mortem of Sir Wm. Waldegrave who died 
the 30 Jan. 1527* of Sir George who died the 8 July 1528' and of Sir William 
who died the 7 November 1554,* and is the subject of a fine levied in 1601 
by Thomas Walton against the above named John Brand. 9 John Brand 
did not long enjoy the estate for he died in 1610 and was succeeded by his 
son and heir Benjamin Brand who died before 1619. On the flat stone 
in the north aisle of Edwardstone Church is the following inscription : 

To the precious memory of Benjamin Brand of Edwardstone 
Hall Esqr. and Elizabeth his wife ; whom, when Providence after 35 
years conjunction divided, death after 12 days divorcement reunited : 
who, leaving their rare examples to 6 Sons and 6 Daughters (all nursed 
with her unborrowed milk) blest with poor mens prayers, embaulmed 
with numerous tears, lye here reposed. 

Benjamin Brand was succeeded by his cousin and heir John Brand 
who was succeeded by his son and heir John Brand who died in 1674 leaving 
an only child Elizabeth who married Sir Robert Kemp Bart, who sold the 
manor in 1714 to William French citizen and draper of London who was lord 

Close Rolls, ii Edw. III. pt. i. 23. I.P.M., 19 Hen. VIII. 44. 

Feet of Fines, 34 Edw. III. 19. ' I.P.M., 20 Hen. VIII. 18. 

I.P.M., 13 Hen. VI. 27. I.P.M., i and 2 P. and M. 92. 

I.P.M., 2i Edw. IV. 53. ' Fine, Mich. 43, 44 Eliz. 
: Fine, Mich. 40, 41 Eliz. 



EDWARDSTONE. 103 

and patron here. 1 William French by his will, which was proved in London 
on the i2th Jan. 1738, devised the manor with the rest of his landed estate 
to William Sheldon the son of his niece Ann Sheldon and he or probably his 
son (for the Vendor was Wm. Sheldon jun.) in 1794 sold the manor together 
with the advowson and estate to Thomas Dawson of the family of Dawson 
of Easington co. Durham. He was born in 1747 and his mother was one 
of the Forsters of Rothbury, co. Northumberland. He married Anne dau. 
of Thomas Manning, and on his death in 1807 was succeeded by his s. and h. 
Charles Dawson born in 1777. He died in 1853 and by his will the manor 
was devised to his sister the widow of William Shepherd of Bradbourne 
co. Kent, on whose death in 1864 the manor passed to her grandson. 

An abstract of a survey of the manor will be found amongst the MSS. 
of the Brit. Mus. 2 as will also an extent of the lands held of this manor by 
Sibton Abbey 3 and a Rental of the manor in i68o. 4 

Arms of Montchensy : Or, three escutcheons barry of six varee and 
gules : of Brand, eyther vert a griffin passant, and a chef or ; or, Azure, 
two swords in saltire argent, hilted in base or, a bordure engrailed of the 
last. 

LYNNES MANOR al. ALGOOD'S. 

This small manor was probably called after a family holding in the 
time of Henry V. There is preserved amongst the Bodleian Charters a 
grant by Elizabeth relict of John Lynne of Edwardston to John 
Chilton of Colchester and John Lynne of Edwardston of certain 
lands in Edwardston and Great and Little Waldingfield. 5 And 
certain grants in the same collection explain the origin of the 
title Algoods and practically indicate the period from which the manor 
was so called. The ist is dated the 26 Jan. 9 Hen. V. [1421] and is a con- 
firmation by John Chilton of Colchester and John Lynne of Edwardston 
to John Algood of Colchester and others of all their lands and tenements 
in Edwardston, Great and Little Waldingfield, Groton and Meldynge. 6 
The 2nd is dated the 7th March 14 Hen. VI. [1435-6] and is a grant by 
Geoffrey Hervy de Fornham All Saints and Peter Gervays of Sudbury to 
John Algood of Colchester and others of their whole right and claim in 
lands, rents, &c., formerly of John Adam and afterwards of John Lynne 
in Edwardston, Great and Little Waldingfield and Meldyng. 7 The 3rd is 
dated the 29 June 28 Hen. VI. [1449-50] and is a lease of John Algood of 
Colchester, Ellen his wife and Peter Creke, clerk to Sir Robert Corbet knt., 
Thomas Wode and others of all their lands, rents, &c., which they acquired 
by the gift and feoffment of John Chilton of Colchester and John Lynne of 
Edwardston situated in Edwardston, Great and Little Waldingfield, Groton 
and Meldynge. 8 A Rental of John Algood jun. for lands, &c., in Edwardston, 
Great and Little Waldingfield the 9 April 4 Edw. IV. [1464] and 29 Hen. 
VIII. [1537] will be found amongst the Rolls in the Bodleian. 9 

In the time of Elizabeth the manor belonged to Thomas Apleton, 
Appleton or Apulton of Waldingfield the son of William Apleton and Rose his 
wife daughter and co-heir of Robert Sexton of Lavenham by Agnes sister of 

1 He is supposed to have left a yearly rent 4 Add. MSS. 19198. 

charge of 2 out of Edwardston s Bodl. Suff. Ch. 197. 

Hall for the poor of the parish, and 6 Bodl. Suff. Ch. 296. 

the amount is still distributed in 7 Bodl. Suff. Ch. 299. 

bread on Easter Monday. 8 Bodl. Suff. Ch. 303. 

* Add. MSS. 19197. ' Bodl. Suff. Rolls 10, n. 
Add. MSS. 34560. 



104 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Sir Thos. Jermyn of Rushbrook. Thomas Apleton married Mary 2nd 
daughter and co-heir of Edward Isaacke of West Court, Kent. The 
A pultons had held land in Edwardston many generations earlier than this, 
for we find that Thomas's great grandfather and namesake had by Deed 
the I Oct. 13 Hen. VII. [1497] confirmed to John Smith and others two 
messuages and the crofts adjacent and one piece of meadow in Edwardston. 1 
Two years later the 20 May 15 Hen. VII. [1500] we find a lease by this 
Thomas Apulton and others to John Colman and others of certain crofts 
and lands in Edwardston and Great Waldingfield. 1 

On the death of Thomas Apulton in 1603' the manor passed to his 
son and heir Sir Isaac Apulton knt. The descent of this Sir Isaac 
Apulton from John Apelton of Great Waldingfield 1416 is given in the 
Additional Suffolk Pedigrees to the edition of the "Visitations of Suffolk " 
by Walter C. Metcalfe 1882, pp. 180, 181, and by Mr. J. J. Muskett in 
his exceptionally valuable account of the " Manorial Families of Suffolk," 
vol. I, p. 329. Sir Isaac Apulton married Mary daughter of the unfortunate 
Anthony Cage of Long Stow co. Cambridge and died in 1608* being 
succeeded by his son and heir Isaac Apulton who married Dame Susan 
relict of Sir Robert Crane of Chilton Bart, and dau. of Sir Giles Allington 
of Horseheath, and died without issue leaving his three sisters his co-heirs. 5 

A fine was in 1549 levied of the manor by William Cordell and others 
against Nicholas Rokewood. 6 

TEWES OR TUES MANOR al. TENDRING. 

This small manor belonged to the Tendrings and passed to the 
Apultons. Thomas de Tendring and Emma his wife had lands, tenements 
and services here in 1339' and in 1467 John Tendring represented the 
family. In the following century it passed to Thomas Apulton of Walding- 
field and to his son and grandson as just mentioned in relation to the Manor 
of Lynnes. 

1 J 537 a fine was levied of this manor by William Page against Richard 
Yaxle and others 8 under which the manor vested in the said William Page 
who in 1554 sold the same to Edward Apulton. Edward Apulton was 
a younger brother of William Apulton of Little Waldingfield and married 
Alice dau. of Firmyn Rokewood of Euston. He made his will dated the 
31 Aug. 1580' and died without issue when this manor apparently passed 
to his nephew Thomas Apulton or Appleton lord of the Manor of Lynnes. 



1 Bodl. Suff. Ch. 302. s For the Appleton family, see further 

' Bodl. Suff. Ch. 301. account under Holbrook Manor, 

'Will P.C.C. 32 Bolein I March 1603, Little Waldingfield, in this Hundred. 

proved i6May following. Muskett. 6 Fine, Hil. 3 Edw. VI. 
Will 8 Sept. 1608, proved the 12 July ' Close Rolls, 14 Edw. III. pt. i. (yd). 
1609. P.C.C. 70 Dorset*.. Muskett. ' Fine, Mich. 29 Hen. VIII. 

' Proved icNov. 1580. P.C.C. 41 ArundelJ. 
Muskett, 




GLEMSFORD. 105 



GLEMSFORD. 

N Saxon times the main manor was given by Leofsin to the 
Abbot of Ely with 8 carucates of land. There were 16 
villeins, 18 bordars, and 5 slaves, 3 ploughteams in demesne 
and 7 belonging to the men, 12 acres of meadow, wood for 
5 hogs, i mill, 3 horses at the Hall and 8 beasts. Also a 
Church living with 30 acres of free land. By the time of the 
Domesday Survey there had merely been added to the manor 
200 sheep and 32 hogs. There was also one socman with 8 acres. The whole 
had been formerly valued at 10 pounds but then the value was increased 
to 16. The manor was i league long and 8 quarantenes broad and it paid 
in a gelt 15^.' The only other manor in Saxon and Norman times was 
that held in the Confessor's days by Blackwin under Siward's commenda- 
tion with 30 acres valued at 6 shillings. At the time of the Great Survey 
this was held by Garius of Ranulf Peverell the tenant in chief, but the 
soc was in St. Etheldreda.* 

GLEMSFORD MANOR. 

Page in his History of Suffolk, following Kirby, says the lordship of 
this parish at the period of the Norman Survey was vested in Odo de Cam- 
pania a near relative of King William, who was by him created Earl of 
Albemarle and Holderness and his large inheritance passed to Stephen 
his son and heir. Where Kirby acquired his information does not appear, 
as he cites no authority ; but whatever the source it may be confidently 
asserted that the whole statement is a delusion. 

Odo de Campania never had anything to do with the Manor of Glems- 
ford, nor indeed with any land whatsoever in the parish of Glemsford. 
Page next informs us, and this time fortunately he is correct, that in the 
reign of Edw. I. it (the manor) was appropriated to the Church of Ely 
and some rents are still paid to the Bishop of that See who has the 
patronage of the Church of St. Mary in Glemsford. From the Hundred 
Rolls we learn that both Glemsford and Hartest Manors were held by the 
Bishop of Ely in chief of the King and pertained to the Barony of Ely 
at that time, they having been given in f rankalmoign ; 3 also that the 
Bishop held pleas in these manors. 4 

The Bishop of Ely had a grant of free warren in respect of the Manor 
of Glemsford in 1361. In 1600 Martin Heton Bishop of Ely alienated the 
manor to the Queen and 10 years later it was granted by the Crown to 
Prince Henry, but in 1617 it reverted to the King. It was in the i8th 
century purchased by John Moore who died in 1753' leaving a son and 
heir Henry Moore who died unmarried in 1769 and was succeeded by his 
brother and heir Richard Moore who died in 1782 and was succeeded by 
his son and heir Richard Moore. 6 He died the 23rd November, 1826, 
when the manor passed to his son Willoughby Moore, by whom and his 
mortgagees the manor was sold in 1834 to John Wright, from whom five 
years later it was acquired by Edmund Stedman. It belonged sub- 
sequently to Robert Frost Stedman, Sidney Pattinson (1875), Henry 

' Dom. ii. 382. s The Courts were held by Mary Moore, 
* Dom. ii. 4166. widow, from 1763 to 1762. 

3 H.R. ii. 142, 150. 6 See Netherhall Manor, Cavendish, in this 

4 H.R. ii. 143. ' Hundred. 

N 



106 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

William Eaton afterwards Lord Cheylesmore (1876-1888), Joseph 
Beaumont (r888), on whose death in 1889 it came to his son George 
Frederick Beaumont F.S.A. of The Lawn, Coggeshall in Essex, to whom It 
still belongs. 

Ministers' account of the Bishop of Ely's temporalities in Glemsford 
14 Edw. I. [1286] and 26 to 28 Edw. I., 1 17 to 18 Edw. I. or III.,' will be 
found in the Public Record Office' and an inquisition of lands of the Bishop 
in Glemsford in 1356 amongst the MSS. of the British Museum. 4 

Extracts from Court Rolls of the manor passing land from the lord 
to John Tebbe and his heirs according to the custom in the 2Oth year of 
Hen. VII. will be found in the Bodleian 5 ; and amongst the Proceedings in 
Chancery in the time of Queen Elizabeth is an action for discovery of the 
terms for a lease by Eustace Strutt to Henry Frost of a customary tene- 
ment called Patches, part of this manor 6 ; also in the Bodleian, Abstracts 
of Fines and Amercements 20 Car. I. and 27 Car. I.' Surveys of the manor 
will be found in the Cambridge University Library. 8 

METHOLD'S AND WIMBOLD'S MANOR. 

The Methwolds held about the time of Hen. VII. this manor, and 
amongst the Suffolk Charters in the Bodleian will be found a note of a 
grant at a Court of this manor : " Methwolds and Wymbolds held the 
Tuesday on the feast of St. Dionisius 7 Hen. VIII. [1515] by William Mede- 
wold Esq., granted to Margery Jakis widow one tenement called ' Cul- 
stone ' with a garden, &c., by the service of 6s. 8d. annually and one capon." 9 

William Methwold was lord in 1515, for we find a Surrender of a little 
meadow made by John Hall at a Court held "by William Medewold Esq." 
to the use of one Walter Berdfeld. 10 

William Methwold by deed dated 34 Hen. VIII. [1542] sold all his 
lands and tenements in this parish called Methwold's and Wymbold's to 
John Smith then of Cavendish, but a member of the family of that name 
seated at Langford in Norfolk. The manor passed from John Smith to his 
son and heir John Smith. From this John Smith the manor passed to George 
Smith who in 1569 sold it with that of Callis to John Allen," who held 
his first Court for this manor and the Manor of Callis al. Tylnes on the 28 
July n Eliz." A Bond of this John Allen to John Jermyn of Debden 31 
Eliz. for 70 will be found amongst the Bodleian Charters.' 3 Exchequer 
Depositions were taken at Bury St. Edmunds in 1590 in an action by Henry 
Rowning and others against John Alen or Allen respecting the customs of 
this manor and that of Callys and as to encroachments on waste. John 
Allen evidently was in difficulties and he mortgaged this manor and that 
of Callis or Tylnes to Thomas Appleton who ultimately entered into 
possession and held Courts ; for we find amongst the Chancery Proceedings 
of the time of Queen Elizabeth an action by Thomas Twyne against Thomas 
Appleton to redeem and to refrain Appleton from holding Courts, &c., of 
these manors and as to a customary messuage called ' The Coate ' mort- 
gaged by John Alen dec. to defendant and left by will to the plaintiff.' 4 

Bundle 1132, No. 9. Dd. viii. 24. 

Ib. Bodl. Sufi. Ch. 338. 

Ib. 1135, No. 6. I0 Bodl. Suff. Ch. 339. 

30 Edw. III. Add. MSS. 6165. " Fine, Trin. n Eliz. 

Bodl. Suff. Ch. 332. " Bodl. Suff. Ch. 345. 

C.P. iii. 2. Bodl. Suff. Ch. 346. 

Bodleian Suff. Rolls, 15 Chart. 349. " C.P. iii. 154. 



GLEMSFORD. 107 

These proceedings disclose the fact that by the date of the action John 
Alen had died and by his will had devised the manors to Thomas Twyne, of 
course subject to the mortgage to Thomas Appleton. It appears, however, 
from some Exchequer Depositions taken at Melford in 1621 in an action 
by Mary Appleton against Walter Chamberleyne that there had been a sale 
of lands in Glemsford by Allen to Appleton. By the date of this action, 1611, 
Thomas Appleton had died and the proceedings were by his widow Mary. 

We find that Sir Isaac Appleton in 1598 obtained this manor from 
Thomas 1 and died seised in 1608 (but whether then as mortgagee or as 
absolute owner is not quite clear) leaving a son Isaac Appleton his heir 
who died without issue. 

CALLIS al. TYLNES MANOR. 

Little is known respecting this small manor. It was no doubt called 
after the Caleys family who for many generations held land in Glemsford. 
The will of Thomas Caleys 1439 is amongst the Suffolk Charters 2 as is also 
the Decree of the Dean of Arches concerning this will. 3 In 1450 we find a 
quit claim by Walter Whytebred to John Dalton and others of all right in 
this manor and lands in Glemsford, Cavendish, Boxstead and Stanstead, 4 
and in 1507 amongst the Bodleian Charters is a grant by Walter Caleys 
al. Imworth son and heir of Thomas Caleys to Walter Cotton and others 
of lands in Glemsford, Cavendish, Boxstead and Stanstead but not 
apparently of the manor. In 1509 there is amongst the Bodleian Suff. 
Charters a note of a grant from the Manor of " Calais " in Glemsford to 
Walter Toppyng of land opposite " Mille strete " in Glemsford, 24 Hen. VII. 5 
In 1569 John Allen by fine 6 obtained the manor from George Smith at the 
same time he acquired the Manor of Methold's and Wimbold's and on the 
28 July ii Eliz. held his first Court for these manors. 7 Allen mortgaged to 
Thomas Appleton or sold and in any case Thomas Appleton had possession in 
1598 when a fine was levied against him by Isaac Appleton. 8 This Isaac was 
the son and heir of Thomas and died seised, when he was in 1609 succeeded 
by his son and heir Isaac Appleton who died without issue. 

There is notice of an action Thomas Twyne and J as. Ellis and others 
on the Exchequer Depositions taken at Glemsford in 1624 respecting a 
right of way from " Tilneis Wood " through a yard then belonging to the 
defendant James by " Turrell's Hall " into Brook Street. The plaintiff 
Thomas Twyne was the son of Thomas Twyne (whose will is referred to 
in the action) who was the devisee under the will of John Allen the former 
lord of this manor. In 1837 the manor belonged to James Sparke of Bury, 
Timothy Holnies of Bury and John Jackson. 

GLEMSFORD al. PEVERELLS MANOR. 

In 1356 Richard de Muneworth and Joan his wife recovered a manor 
and lands here from John de Gefford and Thomas Glemesford. We find 
later Hugh de Glemsford lord, and in 1428 that John de Glemsford held a 
4th of a fee from Hugh de Glemsford. He died in 1437, and in 1497 William 
Felton of Sudbury died seised of the manor. In the Inquisition p.m. 
of this William the manor is said to be worth 5, and to be held of John 
Colthe as of the Manor of Greys in Cavendish. It is found that William 

1 Fine, Easter, 40 Eliz. 5 Bodl. Suff. Ch. 335. 

* Bodl. Suff. Ch. 311. 6 Fine, Trin. n Eliz. 

' Ib. 312. ' Bodl. Suff. Ch. 345. 

4 Bodl. Suff. Ch. 319. 8 Fine, Easter, 40 Eliz. 



io8 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Felton died seised the 23rd Dec. 9 Hen. VII. and that Edmund Felton 
aged 32 is his son and heir. 1 Edmund Felton died seised the 13 May 1519 * 
and was succeeded by his son and heir Edmund Felton of Pentlow who 
died the 10 Dec. 1542 when George son and heir of Edmund succeeded. On 
the death of George Felton, his son and heir Edmund succeeded. 3 

Collections for the history of Glemsford will be found amongst the 
MSS. of the British Museum 4 and Deeds relating to the place amongst 
the Charters of the British Museum. 5 Ministers' accounts of land here in 
the time of Edw. I. are in the Public Record Office 6 as are also Ministers' 
accounts of lands in the time of Edw. II. 7 



1 I.P.M., 10 Hen. VII. 1014. 5 Add. Ch. 27226, 27229, 27231-5, 
* I. P.M., ii Hen. VIII. 27237, 27239, 27241, 27244. 

1 SeeTrobetts or Trucketts Manor in Box- * Bundle 1124, No. 8. 

stead in this Hundred. ' Bundle 995, No. 14. 
Add. MSS. 5847, 6165. 



GROTON. 



109 




GROTON. 

HERE was here but one manor, though 100 acres in Groton 
were held as belonging to the Manor of Cornard in early 
times. The main manor was held in Saxon times by the 
Abbot of Bury, and he was not disturbed at the Conquest. 
The holding consisted of i carucate and a half as a manor, 
8 villeins, 5 bordars, i ploughteam in demesne, 2 belonging 
to the men, i acre of meadow, wood for 10 hogs, a winter 
mill, i rouncey, 6 beasts, 16 hogs and 30 sheep. There were also 2 
freemen with half an acre of land which they could give away or sell, 6 
bordars, i ploughteam and i acre of meadow. 

Formerly the value was 30 shillings, but in the time of the Domesday 
Survey 40. It was 7 quarantenes long and 4 broad. There were also 12 
freemen who could give or sell their lands which consisted of i carucate 
in the Confessor's days. The value was 20 shillings, and the Abbot had 
soc, commendation and service and the payment in a gelt was 8^.' 

The holding in Groton which belonged to Cornard Manor was 4 socmen 
with 100 acres and 3 bordars. Among these was a ploughteam. The 
whole had in Saxon times been valued at 10 pounds, but later in Norman days 
at 26 shillings and 8^. by tale. It was six quarantenes and 3 perches long 
and 4^ quarantenes and 4 perches broad and paid io^d. in a gelt. The soc 
was in the township and the holding at the time of the Domesday Survey 
was that of Earl Morchar's mother which William the Chamberlain and 
Otho the Goldsmith kept in hand for the King. 2 Richard son of Earl 
Gislebert 3 had here a freeman by commendation and soc and sac who 
had 10 acres of land valued at 2od. 4 and the only other holdings were 
encroachments upon the King. Thus this Richard son of Earl Gislebert 
held a freeman formerly under Robert son of Wimarc by commendation only 
with 60 acres of land, formerly 4 bordars then one, formerly i ploughteam 
then none, and i acre of land, all formerly valued at 10 shillings and then 
at 18. On this land Roger de Orbec encroached, and held it under Richard 
son of Gislebert, and Richard's men claimed it as belonging to the fee of 
Wisgar predecessor in title ; but according to the testimony of the Hundred, 
it never had belonged to that fee either by commendation or by soc. 5 

GROTON MANOR. 

The Abbot of Bury leased this manor to Robert de Cokefeld 
son of Adam son of Lemmerus 6 for life, and on his death Abbot Sampson 
3rd of Rich. I. granted a fresh lease to Robert's son Adam de Cokefield for 
life. Adam married Rohais and had issue an only child Nesta who 
married ist Thomas de Burgh. Adam de Cokefield having died about 
1209 Rohais his widow released to the said Thomas de Burgh and Nesta 
his wife her dower in the lands of her late husband in this parish, Cockfield 
and Semere other lands being assigned to her in lieu thereof. After the 
death of Thomas de Burgh this Nesta married John de Beauchamp and 
finally, Matthew de Leyham. In the 26th Hen. III. this Matthew de 
Leyham and Nesta his wife granted to the Abbot of St. Edmunds five 



' Dom. ii. 3596. 

* Dom. ii. 287. 

3 See Bures Manor in this Hundred. 

' Dom. ii. 3726. 



^ Dom. ii. 4476. 
6 See Peper's Manor, 
Hundred. 



Cockfield, in this 



no THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

carucates of land in Cockfield the Abbot releasing to them all claim to the 
lands belonging to his monastery in this parish, Lindsey, Rougham and 
Semere. 

Nesta de Leyham died without issue by any of her husbands, about 
the year 1248, when the King commanded Edmund, Abbot of St. Edmunds 
to restore to Bartholomew de Creke, Ralph de Berners and William de 
Bellomonte the Manors of Groton and Semere to which the Abbot had no 
title except through Henry, late Abbot of St. Edmunds who had intruded 
whilst Nesta [to whom the said Bartholomew, Ralph and William were 
cousins and heirs] was in extremis, by reason of a lease granted by Matthew 
de Leyham her husband, against her will, to John de Cramaville. 1 

The Abbot continued in possession, for in 1286 a writ of right was 
brought for the recovery of the lands by John de Creke, Ralph Berners and 
Godfrey de Bellomonte the then heirs of Nesta, descended from her three 
aunts Alicia, Beatrix and Gunnora and it would seem to have been decided 
by duel in their favour for the Abbot's champion was overcome. The 
descent of the inheritance from Nesta to the claimants is set forth in these 
words : 

" Et de ipsa Nesta quia obiit sine haerede de se resortiebatur jus, &c., 
quibusdam Aliciae, Beatrici et Gunnorae, ut amitis et haeredibus. Et de 
praedicta Alicia descendit jus perpartis suae cuidam Roberto ut filio et 
haeredi : et de ipso Roberto cuidam Bartholomaeo ut filio et haeredi : et 
de ipso Bartholomaeo cuidam Roberto ut filio et haeredi : et de ipso Roberto, 
quia obiit sine haerede de se, descendit jus &c., cuidam Galfrido ut fratri 
et haeredi : et de ipso Galfrido, quia obiit sine haerede de se, isti Johanni 
qui nunc petit, ut fratri et haeredi. 

" Et de praedicta Beatrice descendit jus perpartis suae cuidam 
Radulfo ut filio de haeredi : et de isto Radulfo cuidam Willielmo ut filio 
et haeredi : et de ipso Willielmo quia obiit sine haerede de se, descendit 
jus &c., cuidam Radulfo ut fratri et haeredi : et deipso Radulfo, isti Radulfo 
qui nunc petit, ut filio et haeredi. 

" Et de praedicta Gunnora descendit jus perpartis suae quibusdam 
Aliciae et Agneti ut filiabus et haeredibus : et de predicae Agnete, quia 
obiit sine haerede de se, descendit jus perpartis suae predictae Aliciae ut 
sorori et hoeredi : et de ipsa Alicia descendit jus &c., cuidam Willielmo ut 
filio et haeredi : et de ipso Willielmo, isti Godefrido qui nunc petit similiter 
&c., ut filio et haeredi." 

The Table on the opposite page will perhaps best illustrate the 
descents : 



1 Close Rolls, 32 Hen. III. 5 in dorso. 





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OTS 



H2 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

In 1292 Geoffrey de Bellomonte had a grant of free warren here 1 
and died the following year without issue, lord of a third part of Groton 
and Semere leaving a widow Cecilia and Sir John de Bellomonte his brother 
and heir. 1 

Sir John died about 1297 when Alice his widow claimed half the 
moiety in dower, and subject to her right the interest passed to Richard de 
Bellomonte son and heir who held the same in 1299. From 1297 to 1316 
the Abbot of St. Edmunds seems to have held the portion not held by 
Richard de Bellomonte and about the latter date seems to have acquired 
the whole. On the dissolution, this manor passed to the Crown and in 
1544 was granted to Adam Winthorp 3 son of Adam Winthorp of Lavenham 
and Joane Burton his wife. The purchaser was a citizen and clothworker 
of London and Master of this company in 1551. He married first Alice 
daughter of Henny who died in 1533, when the following year he married 
Agnes daughter of Robert Sharpe of Islington co. Middlesex, and in 1557 
executed a settlement of the manor giving life estates to himself and Agnes 
his wife and entailing the same on his second son John. 4 He made his 
will the 20 Sept. 1562 which contains the following clause as to this manor : 
" Item. I do give unto Alice my wife all that my Manor of Groton with 
the advowson of the benefice there with all and singular woods, lands and 
tenements courts and profits of courts rents and services with all and 
singular the appurtenances and commodities whatsoever they be to the 
said manor belonging or in any wise appertaining during her natural life. 
And after the decease of the said Agnes, I will and give all that my foresaid 
manor with the advowson of the benefice with the appurtenances as is 
aforesaid unto John Wyntropp my son and to his heirs male of his body 
lawfully begotten and for lack of such issue male of the said John lawfully 
begotten I will the said manor and the advowson of the benefice with their 
appurtenances shall be and remain with Adam Wyntrop my son and to the 
heirs male of his body lawfully begotten. And for default of such 
issue of the said Adam I will all and singular the premises with their appur- 
tenances to remain unto William Wyntropp my son and the heirs male 
of his body lawfully begotten. And for lack of such issue of the said William 
I will and give all the said premises with their appurtenances before 
rehearsed unto my four daughters, that is to say, Alice, Bridget, Mary and 
Susan and to their heirs then living and when the said manor shall so descend 
and come." The Testator died gth Nov. 1562 and his will was proved 
the 15 of January following. 5 He was buried in Groton Church with the 
following inscription in brass : " Here lyeth Mr. Adam Winthorp Lorde 
and patron of Groton whiche Departed owt of this Worlde this ix. day of 
November in the yere of cure Lorde God MCCCCCLXIJ." It seems 
the plate was removed, but was restored in 1878 by the Hon. Robert C. 
Winthorp of Boston in New England, Adam's descendant in the eighth 

1 Chart. Rolls, 20 Edw. I. 33. Pat. Rolls, 4 and 5 P. & M. pt. xi. 18. A 

Extent. Moiety. Cecilia de Ferariis CO P V , of this settlement is given in 

sometime wife of Godfrey de Musketts Manorial Families of 

Bellomonte (I.P.M., 21 Edw. I. 49.) 

Particulars for grant 35 Hen. VIII. ! Will. Prerogative Court, Canterbury 2. 

loth Report of the D.K., App. ii. Cneyre. 

p. 305; Pat. Rolls, 35 Hen. VIII. 
pt. xiv. 5. See copy grant 
Musket t's Manorial Families of 
Suff. i. 15. 



GROTON. 113 

generation. On an altar monument contiguous to the South wall of the 
Chancel in the Churchyard is the following inscription : 

Ccelum Patria Christus Via. 
Hie jacet Corpus Adami Winthrop Armigeri filij. 
Adami Winthorp Armigeri qui hujus Ecclesiae 

Patroni fuerunt et Dni. Manerij de Groton. 

Praedictus Adamus Films uxorem duxit Annam 

Filiam Henrici Browne de Edwarduston, per 

Quam habuit unum Filium et quatuor Filias. 

Hanc vitam transmigravit Anno Dni. 1623. 

^Etatis suae 70 Anna vero uxor ejus obijt 

1628, Hie quoque consepulta est. 

John Winthorp the 2nd son, but the eldest son by Adam's 2nd marriage, 
succeeded accordingly, barred the entail in 1594' and sold the manor to 
his brother Adam Winthorp, and his son John in 1609 when he engaged 
in a plantation in the South of Ireland. Adam was a lawyer and county 
magistrate and the writer of the Diary to be seen in " Life and Letters of 
John Winthorp." He had no issue by his first wife Alice daughter of 
William Still of Grantham co. Lincoln and sister of Dr. John Bull, Bishop 
of Bath and Wells, but had 4 children by his 2nd wife, Anne daughter and 
co-heir of Henry Browne of Edwardstone, and dying in 1623 was succeeded 
by his eldest son John Winthorp who removed from Groton to Boston in 
New England and became Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony.* In 
1631 he sold the manor to Thomas Waring. Thomas Waring was succeeded 
by Richard Waring ; and Thomas, (who was probably the son of the second 
son and heir of Richard Waring), died about the year 1769 aged 84 or 
thereabouts. He devised the manor to his cousin Walter Waring M.P. 
for Coventry who died about 1781 leaving an only son who died without 
issue. About 1780 the manor was acquired by the Rev. Seymour Leeke, 
who held it for some eight or nine years. In 1804 the manor was pur- 
chased by Sir William Rowley Bart, of Tendring Hall, Stoke by Nayland, 
after which the devolution is identical with Nayland Manor in this 
Hundred. 

CASTELINS OR CASTELYNS MANOR. 

This was the lordship of Sir Gilbert Chastelym who died seised 22 
Edw. I. and was succeeded by his son Thomas de Chastelyn who died 
about 1331 and was succeeded by his son William and he by his son John 
who died in 1375 leaving a daughter and heir Joan married to Robert 
Knyvet to whom this manor was released by trustees in the 5th year of 
Rich. II. Joan died also in 1375, but Robert Knyvet survived till abt. I42O. 3 
Probably he married after the death of Joan for amongst the Early Chancery 
Proceedings we find a suit by Ellen late wife of Robert Knyvet aga'nst 
Thomas Knyvet. 4 Robert Knyvet was succeeded by his son and heir 
John Knyvet 5 who died without issue in 1451, when the manor passed to 
his brother and heir Thomas Knyvet of Stanway. Davy makes this 
Thomas Knyvet die in 1486 and to be succeeded by his son and heir Edward, 
but this is absurd, for as he makes both John and Thomas to be sons of Joan 

1 Pat. Rolls, 36 Eliz.pt. xiii. 31; Fine, Mich. 3 I.P.M., Robert Knyvett, 7 Hen. V. 26, 
36, 37 Eliz. tenement called Castelaines in 

See his " Life and Letters," 1587-1649, Groton. 

2 vols. ' E.C.P., 6 Hen. IV. ; 2 Hen. VI. 5, 7. 

5 See Sanderford's in Great Waldinfield in 
this Hundred. 

o 



THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

who married Robert Knyvet and died in 1375, Thomas the son must have 
died in years after his mother. Davy missed out a generation. 

Thomas Knyvet the son of Robert died in 1459. His will is dated the 
4th Oct. 1458 and in it he directs his body to be buried in the Chancel of 
the Church of All Saints at " Staneweye " between his wives. To John 
Knyvet his son and heir he devises his Manors of Grotene in Suffolk, Dun- 
hall and Staneweye in Essex and Ramsdenbelehouse with the advowson of 
the Church. He mentions his daughter Margaret wife of Robert Baynard 
and constitutes his sons Nicholas and Robert and John Wright his 
executors. The will was proved the 2ist July 1459. There is an Inquisi- 
tion p.m. this year respecting i tenement, 60 acres of land, 40 of pasture, 
10 of wood, and underwood and i8s. rent in Groton held as of Kersey 
Priory and this is probably the Manor of Castleyn.' He was followed by 
his son and heir John Knyvet aged 37 at his father's death and we find an 
Inquisition p.m. of him in 1481 in which the manor is included by name, 
" Castelyn in Groton Manor as of Kersey Priory," practically identifying 
this Castelyn with the property described in the Inquisition of Thomas 
Knyvett already referred to. 2 John Knyvet died in I48o. 3 His will is 
dated 1476 and it was proved in 1486. He was succeeded by his grandson 
Edward Knyvet the son of John's eldest son Thomas Knyvet who had died 
in his father's lifetime. Davy states that in 1486 Edward Knyvet and 
Anne his wife had a release made to them of the manor by trustees. The 
release referred to is dated the 6 Sept. 4 Hen. VII. [1488] and is by William 
Clopton, Thomas Rokewode, Edmund Fetone and William Eyr to Edward 
Knevitt and Anna his wife, William Pykenham clerk, Henry Wentworth, 
George Hopton, and Reginald Touneshend knights and Philip Calthorp 
and Henry Tey. 4 

The manor passed to Elizabeth daughter and heir of Edward Knyvet 
on his death the 4 Feb. 1500. She was married to John Rainsforth and 
died the 4 Feb. 1508,' when the manor passed to the next heirs, Thomasine 
wife of Sir William Clopton, Elizabeth wife of John Clopton, and Katherine 
Roydon. 6 In 1536 a fine was levied of the manor by Francis Clopton 
against John Clopton, the fine including the Manor of Saundeford 
in Waldingfield and tenements in Great and Little Waldingfield, Groton, 
Boxford, Acton and Edwardstone. 7 In 1548 Francis Clopton son and heir 
of Sir William Clopton succeeded to Thomasine's share and his will is dated 
1558.* In 1575 William Clopton nephew of Francis, then described as of 
London, granted to the Queen all his right and interest in this manor and 
other manors, 9 but the grant was not to take effect so long as the said 
William paid 405. yearly to the Exchequer. The deed is dated the 15 Feb. 
1575. William Clopton of Groton a younger son of Richard Clopton of 
Melford by Margery Playter was the first of the family who built and lived 



I.P.M., 37 Hen. VI. 18. 

I.P.M., 20 Edw. IV. 90. 
1 I.P.M., 20 Edw. IV. 90. 

4 Harl. 480. 49. 

5 We have followed the Davy MSS. here ; 

but it should be mentioned that the 
manor is included in the Inquis. 
p.m. of Richard Lewkener who 
died the 13 Feb. 1502 (I.P.M., 18 
Hen. VII.) 

I.P.M., 24 Hen. VIII. 

' Fine, Trin. 28 Hen. VIII. 



* There is a fine of the manor levied in 
1550 between John Holyer and 
William Clopton (Fine, Easter, 4 
Edw. VI.) and another the follow- 
ing year between the said John 
Holyer and Robert Wythersby and 
others (Fine, Mich. 5 Edw. VI.). 
There is a third fine levied in 1565 
by Edward Colman against John 
Hollyer and hi? wife. Fine, Easter, 
7 Eliz. 

Harl. 48 D. 27. 



GROTON. 115 

at Castleyns. He spent his patrimony, and married Mary eldest daughter 
of Edward Walgrave of Lawford in Essex. 

The Rev. C. Grove, Rector of Hemingston is the next person we meet 
with as lord. He died in 1769 having devised the manor to his nephew 
John Spurgeon. He was succeeded by Sarah his widow who died in 1812 
when the Rev. John Grove Spurgeon her eldest son succeeded. He died in 
1829 when it passed to his son and heir Farrer Grove Spurgeon who assumed 
the name of Farrer and sold the manor to the Rev. G. A. Dawson, rector 
of Edwardstone. He married Louisa Pilkington, and died in 1848, when 
it passed to his son and heir, Thomas Pilkington Dawson, who married 
Emma King King, and died in 1867, when it passed to his son and heir, 
Cuthbert Pilkington Dawson, who married Edith Martin, and sold the 
manor in 1897 to Thomas Benjamin Worters, the present owner. 




Ii6 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



HARTEST. 

HE great holding in Hartest in Saxon days was that of 
the Monastery of Ely, the lordship having been given to 
this house by the parents of Leofson on his entering the 
monastery. The holding consisted of 5 carucates of land as 
a manor. There were 12 villeins, 14 bordars and 4 slaves, 
2 ploughteams in demesne and 5 belonging to the men, 
10 acres of meadow, wood for 6 hogs, 4 horses at the 
Hall, 20 beasts, 25 hogs and 60 sheep. Also a church living with 
80 acres of free land. The value of the whole was 6 pounds, but by 
the time of the Norman Survey the value was placed at n, though 
the only alteration in the details given was an increase by one of the 
ploughteams belonging to the men. It was one league long and halt a league 
broad and paid in a gelt lod. There were also here 4 socmen with 30 
acres of land, and half a ploughteam valued at 5 shillings ; and a socman 
with a carucate of land and i ploughteam valued at 20 shillings which 
was let by the Abbot to Berners the Engineer. 1 The only other holding 
mentioned in the Domesday Survey was that of Richard son of Earl 
Gislebert who had 2 freemen under Wisgar by commendation and soc and 
sac, with 2 carucates of land, and 3 bordars, 2 ploughteams and 8 
acres of meadow, valued at 2 pounds.* 

HARTEST MANOR. 

The Manor of Hartest remained with the Monastery of Ely until 
the dissolution, when it became appropriated to the Bishopric of Ely, 
from whom it was alienated in 1561, being taken by the Queen in exchange 
for certain impropriations. From the Hundred Rolls we learn that the 
Bishop of Ely had free warren here and claimed gallows and other rights 
in the time of Edw. I. 3 The manor is included in a fine levied in 1569 by 
William Waldegrave, John Heigham and others against Elizabeth Drury 
widow and others. 4 

Ministers' accounts of the Bishop's temporalities in Hartest 14 Edw. I. 
and 26 to 28 Edw. I. will be found in the Public Record Office 5 ; and an 
Inquisition of the Bishop's lands here, 30 Edw. III., amongst the 
Additional MSS. of the British Museum. 6 In the Exchequer Special 
Commissions particulars will be found of the Sovereign's woods in Hartest 
Manor 30 Eliz., 44 Eliz., 2 Jac.I.,and Spoils of woods in the manor, 3 Jac. I. 7 
Amongst the Exchequer Depositions taken at Hartest in 1608 will be 
found particulars of a suit by William Wright against Thomas Cole and 
others touching the surrender of lands called Lydwalles and brickhouse 
parcel of the manor. 

In 1609 the manor was granted by the Crown to George Salter 
and John William Salter. In 1844 it was vested in George Weller Poley 
of fipxstead Hall, and for the descent from that gentleman to the present 
time see Boxstead Hall Manor in this Hundred. 



1 Dom. ii. 382. s Bundle 1132, No. 9, 10. 

Dom. ii. 392* ' ' Add. MSS. 6165. 

H.R. ii. 143, 153. < ' D.K.R. 38 App. p. 40, 68, 74, 76. 
4 Fine, Easter, ii El/*- 






LAVENHAM. 



117 




LAVENHAM. 

|N the time of the Confessor there were two considerable 
manors in Lavenham. One was held by Ulwin, King 
Edward's thane, who had 6 carucates of land with soc and 
sac. There were n villeins, 24 bordars, 6 slaves, 4 
ploughteams in demesne, 9 belonging to the men, 10 acres of 
meadow, wood for 100 hogs, 5 horses at the Hall, 24 beasts, 
1 60 hogs, 200 sheep, 60 goats, 5 hives of bees and i arpent 
of vineyard. There was also a socman who could not give nor sell with 
i carucate of land and 5 bordars, 2 ploughteams and 3 acres of meadow. 
The whole was valued at 10 pounds, but by the time of the Domesday Survey 
the value had risen to 15 pounds. There were then 7 villeins only, but the 
bordars had risen to 38. Two of the ploughteams of the men had disappeared, 
as had 4 of the horses at the Hall, and the hogs were fewer by 95, but in 
some respects there was growth. For instance one more beast, 20 more 
goats and i additional hive of bees. The socman had a mill. The manor 
was a league long and half a league broad and paid in a gelt J^d. 1 

The Domesday tenant in chief was Aubrey de Vere. This Aubrey 
also held by encroachment on the King 3 freemen under Ulwin, Aubrey's 
predecessor in title, by commendation only in the soc of St. Edmund, and 
they had 60 acres and formerly had 2 ploughteams but then only one. 
This holding was valued at 6 shillings. 2 

The other manor here was that of Frodo the Abbot of St. Edmund's 
brother. It had been held in the Confessor's time by Alvey under the 
Abbot with soc and consisted of 2 carucates of land. This Alvey 
could not sell without the licence of the Abbot. Frodo held it, 
the Conqueror claiming it as appertaining to his fee, saying that it 
had been delivered to him. There were in this manor 5 bordars, 
i slave, 2 ploughteams in demesne and 2 belonging to the men, 
3 acres of meadow, 2 horses at the Hall, 12 hogs, 40 sheep, valued 
at 40 shillings. By Norman supervision the value had increased to 4 
pounds in the time of the Great Survey, and there were then 12 beasts 
additional and 102 sheep as against 40, but the hogs had dropped from 
12 to 4. This manor was half a league long and 4 quarantenes broad and 
paid in a gelt i%d. 3 

LAVENHAM MANOR. 

Mr. Kirby has much to answer for. He has supplied material for all 
the local guide books and scrappy histories of particular places which have 
appeared, and few have even ventured to depart from his words which have 
been accepted as of equal weight with a regular record. His statement is 
that Lavenham was one of the 221 lordships in Suffolk given by King William 
the Conqueror to Robert Malet but he forfeited by joining Robert 
eldest son of the Conqueror in the 2nd year of Hen. I. when the King gave 
it to Aubrey de Vere. 

The error has been perpetuated and appears in that useful Gazetteer 
of White published in 1885. Lavenham having formed one of the lord- 
ships of Malet is an entire delusion. Shortly after the Battle of Hastings 
William the Conqueror rewarded his brother-in-law Aubrey de Vere with 

1 Dom. ii. 418. ' Dom. ii. 355. 

Dom. ii. 449. 



n8 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

the grant of this and other manors. This Aubrey de Vere lies buried in 
the Priory of Colne in Essex which he and his wife founded, as appears by 
the following inscription given by Weever : " Here lyeth A ul faery the 
first Earl of Guines sonne of Alphonnes de Vere, the whyche Aulbery was 
the founder of this place and Bettrys hys wyf syster of kyng William the 
Conquerour." 

The manor remained in the De Veres Earls of Oxford 1 from the time of 
the Norman Conquest to the death of Edward the i7th Earl of Oxford 
in 1604 when it was sold, not to Paul D'Ewes as Page states but to Sir 
Thomas Skinner. This last de Vere who was lord of Lavenham was a 
noted spendthrift and his extravagance seems to have brought about 




LAVEHHAH HALL. 



the sale of the manor. Stow relates that " he rode to his house in London 
with 80 gentlemen in liveries of Reading tawney and chains of gold about 
their neck ; and with 100 tall yeomen in like livery without chains but 
having a blue boar embroidered on the left shoulder." 

The Earls of Oxford held Lavenham Manor in chief of the King as 
appertaining to their Barony 2 and had gallows and free warren, &c., here 
in early days. 3 

Robert de Vere, 5th Earl, had in 1290 a charter for a fair once every 
year upon the eve, day and morrow of Whitsuntide or Pentecost, but it 
was early discontinued and another held on Michaelmas Day, which last 
fair was at one time in great repute for butter and cheese in very large 
quantities 4 ; and an extent of the manor will be found in his Inquisition p.m. in 
1296.' His widow Alice dau. and heir of Gilbert, Lord Saundford had 
the manor assigned to her in dower, and Robert the son 6th Earl of Oxford 
in 1329 had a charter from the King for his tenants of Lavenham to pass 
toll free throughout all England. 6 Amongst the Bodleian Charters will 
be found a writ of Edw. III. to the bailiff of St. Edmund reciting a grant 
to Robert de Vere Earl of Oxford releasing his tenants, &c., of the Manor 
of Lavenham from paying toll throughout the kingdom and commanding 
the bailiff not to molest or distrain for toll when the said tenants come to 

1 See Earl's Hall Manor, Cockfield, in this Hundred. 4 Chart. Rolls, 18 Edw. I. 18. 

H.R. ii. 142, 150. I.P.M., 24 Edw. I. 62. 

1 H.R. ii. 143, 152, 153, Chart. Rolls. 4 Edw. III. 37. * Chart. Rolls, 3 Edw. III. 32. 



LAVENHAM. 



119 



St. Edmunds. 1 This charter was confirmed by Queen Elizabeth in the 
year of her reign. Robert de Vere the 6th Earl died in 1331' and was 
succeeded by his nephew JohndeVere 7th Earl of whom the King took homage 
for the Manors of " Laueham Overhall and Laueham Netherhall " in Laven- 
ham this same year. 3 

In 1336 John de Vere enfeoffed Sir William Crocheman and Richard de 
Stoke of Lavenham Overhall, Lavenham Netherhall and Aldham Manors said 
to be held in chief, and they pursuant to the terms of the grant regranted 
to him John de Vere, Matilda his wife and his heirs. The licence to make 
the alienation will be found on the Patent Rolls. 4 In 1341 John enfeoffed 
Richard de Stoke and John Fermer of the same manors in order that they 
might regrant them to him and Matilda his wife in tail, 5 and the fol' owing 
year a fine was levied accordingly by John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford 
and Matilda his wife v. Richard de Stoke clerk and John Fermer. 6 

In 1342 a commission was issued on complaint of John de Vere 7th 
Earl of Oxford that Ralph de Mendham parson of the Church of Argham 
and others carried away his goods at Lavenham and assaulted his servants 
John Taillour and John Ferour there. 7 In 1360 Netherhall and Overhall 
are mentioned in the Inquisition post mortem of John de Vere 7th Earl of 
Oxford* and a grant of the custody of the Hall and Park, &c., this year will 
be found amongst the Harleian Charters. 9 In 1371 the King assigned to 
Matilda widow of Thomas de Vere 8th Earl of Oxford the Manor of Over- 
hall as to 2$li. 145. 3%d. and the Manor of Netherhall as to ^li. 35. 2d. 
in dower. 10 In 1384 there is on the Patent Rolls a licence to enfeoff William 
Bishop of Winchester and others of Lavenham Manor," but we find both 
Manors of Overhall and Netherhall mentioned in the Inquisition post 
mortem of Matilda widow of Thomas de Vere 8th Earl of Oxford in 1412," 
also in 1417 in that of Richard de Vere nth Earl of Oxford' 3 ; and in 1442 
John i2th Earl of Oxford received a grant of a market and fair in Lavenham. 14 
Again in 1452 the Manors of Netherhall and Overhall were mentioned 
in the Inquisition post mortem of Alice late Countess of Oxford. 15 The 
two manors are named on the Patent Rolls in 1462 as forfeited, and the 
Crown appointed during pleasure John Wykes as receiver and approver 
of Lavenham Manor and Park he receiving the accustomed fees from the 
issues of the same.' 6 The same year King Edward IV. granted the manor 
to his brother Richard Duke of Gloucester' 7 afterwards King Richard III. 
The grant to the Duke of Gloucester is made to him and his heirs male, and 
appears on the Patent Rolls in 1471. l8 The Duke soon after settled the 
manor in special tail by which means it passed to the Crown. On the 
Duke coming to the Throne he gave the Manor of Lavenham with many 
other estates in special tail to Sir John Howard knt., who having continued 



1 22 Feb. 4 Edw. III. Bodl. Suff. Ch. 352. 
* I.P.M., 5 Edw. III. 7. See Earl's Hall 
Manor in Cockfield in this Hundred. 

3 Originalia, 5 Edw. III. 40. 

4 Pat. Rolls, 10 Edw. III. pt. i. 36. 

5 Pat. Rolls, 15 Edw. III. pt. ii. 28. 

6 Feet of Fines, 16 Edw. III. 30. 

' Pat. Rolls, 16 Edw. III. pt. ii. i6rf. 

' I.P.M., 34 Edw. III. 84. 

' Harl. 57 C. n. 

10 Originalia, 45 Edw. III. 26. See I.P.M. 

Thomas Earl of Oxford, 45 Edw. III. 

45. The Manors of Lavenham and 



Netherhall are mentioned in 1366 
in the inquisition post mortem of 
Matilda wife of John de Vere yth 
Earl (I.P.M., 40 Edw. III. 38). 

" Pat. Rolls, 8 Rich. II. pt. ii. 16. 

" I.P.M., 14 Hen. IV. 17. 

" I.P.M., 4 Hen. V. 53. 

14 Chart. Rolls, 20 Hen. VI. 

'5 I.P.M., 3o Hen. VI. 14. 

16 Pat. Rolls, 2 Edw. IV. pt. i. 21. 

17 Rolls of Parliament vi. 228. 
Pat. Rolls, 20 Hen. VI. 

18 Pat. .Rolls, ii Edw. IV. pt. ii. 22. 



120 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

faithful to the House of York during the reigns of Hen. VI. and his brother 
Edw. IV. was at the same time made by Rich. III. Earl Marshall of 
England and Duke of Norfolk.' 

Amongst the Harleian Charters we find a deed dated the i July 6 
Edw. IV. [1466] by which John de Vere afterwards i3th Earl of Oxford 
grants the manor to James Arblaster and John Power. 1 

In 1475 there is on the Patent Rolls a grant to Elizabeth Queen of 
England, Richard Bishop of Salisbury and William Dudley dean of the 
Chapel of the Household and their assigns of the lordship of Lavenham 
Manor late of John I2th Earl of Oxford in the King's hands by reason of 
John's forfeiture. 5 Of course on the accession of Hen. VII. John de Vere 
who had commanded the archers of the vanguard at Bosworth and there 
materially contributed by his valour and skill to the great victory of the 
House of Lancaster, was reinstated as I3th Earl of Oxford and had restored 
to him all his family estates. He had ignored the forfeiture, for, as we 
have said, amongst the Harleian Charters is a conveyance by him to 
James Abblaster and John Power, no doubt as trustees, of this manor 
and that of Preston. 4 In 1548 a fine was levied of this and other manors 
by Edward Duke of Somerset and others, (no doubt as trustees), against 
John Earl of Oxford. 5 

Of Edward de Vere iyth Earl of Oxford a tale is told by facetious Fuller 
of how he endeavoured to free his Manor and Park of Lavenham by an 
unrighteous bargain with the church. He was a noted character in the time 
of Elizabeth, and had for a wife Anne daughter of William Cecil the celebrated 
Lord Treasurer Burghley. He was said to have been the first person to 
introduce perfumes and embroidered gloves into England and presenting 
a pair of the latter to Queen Elizabeth her majesty was so delighted with 
the novelties that she had her own picture painted with these gloves on. 
It must not be supposed from this that he was by any means an effeminate 
character. At least he showed no signs of such when he sat in judgment 
on Mary Queen of Scots in 1586 nor when he commanded in the fleet 
equipped to oppose the Armada in 1588. He is said to have been one of the 
wits of the period in which he lived and to have been distinguished alike by 
his patriotism and chivalrous spirit. In the tournaments of Elizabeth's 
reign he was pre-eminently conspicuous, and upon two occasions was 
honoured with a prize from the hand of the Queen, being conducted armed 
by ladies into the presence chamber for the purpose of receiving the high 
reward. Walpole says that he attained reputation as a poet and was 
esteemed the first writer of comedy in his time. 

We have been somewhat particular because the story told by Fuller 
seems rather inconsistent with the general character of the I7th Earl as 
usually entertained. Fuller, of course, was prejudiced in all matters relating 
to the church, and may have somewhat exaggerated and the new rector have 
mistaken the Earl's meaning. It may be mentioned that at the time of 
the presentation referred to, the Earl would not have been more than about 
28 years of age. When he was but 23 Gilbert Talbot thus writes of him 
to the Earl of Shrewsbury :' " My lord of Oxforth is lately growne into 
great credite for the Q. Majestie delitithe more in his parsonage and his 

1 Pat. Rolls, i Rich. III. pt. i. 18 ; D.K.R. ' Pat. Rolls, 15 Edw. IV. pt. ii. 10. 

o. App. ii. p. 113 ; Pat. Rolls, 2 4 i July, 6 Edw. IV. Harl. 57 C. 14. 

Rich. III. pt. ii. 22. 5 Fine, Easter, 2 Edw. VI. 

1 Harl. 57 C. 14. * May nth 1573, Illustrations of British 

History ii. p. 100, 



LAVENHAM. 121 

daunting and valientnes than any other . . . if it were not for his 
fyckle head he would passe any of them shortly." The character given of 
him in one of the Harleian MSS. is : "He was a man in minde andbodey, 
absolutely accomplished with honourable endowments." 1 Fuller's tale 
is this : When Lavenham living fell void " which deserved a good Minister 
being a rich Parsonage and needed one, it being more than suspicious that 
Dr. Reinolds late incumbent (who ran away to Rome) had left some super- 
stitious leaven behind him, the Earl of Oxford being Patrone presents 
Mr. Copinger 3 to it, but adding withal, that he would pay no tithes of his 
Park, being almost half the land of the Parish. Copinger desired to resign 
it again to his Lordship rather than by such sinful ingratitude to betray the 
rights of the Church. Well ! if you be of that minde, then take the tithes 
(saith the Earl) ; I scorn that my estate should swell with Church goods. 
However it afterwards cost Master Copinger sixteen hundred pounds in 
keeping his questioned and recovering his detained rights in suit with the 
Agent for the next (minor) Earl of Oxford and others all which he left to 
his Churches quiet possession being zealous in God's cause, but remise in 
his own. He lived forty-five years the painfull Parson of Laueham in 
which Market Toune there were about nine hundred communicants amongst 
whom all his time no difference did arise which he did not compound." 
This Edward Earl of Oxford made a settlement dated the 30 January 
1575 which is still extant. It was made to Thomas Earl of Sussex, Robert 
Earl of Leicester, Thomas Cecill esq. Sir William Cordell knt., and Thomas 
Bromley esq. Solicitor General, as trustees, and included divers manors and 
estates. It recites that the Earl intends by the Queen's licence to travel 
beyond the seas ; that he has, as yet, no issue and that should he die his 
whole possessions would pass to his sister Lady Mary ' Veer,' saving the 
life interest of his Countess, and those estates specially entailed on his 
grandfather's heirs male. To avert this impoverishment of " that auncient 
Erldome house and famylie of Oxenforde," the Earl " remembrynge and 
considerynge the longe contynaunce of his saide house and famylie in the 
name of the Veers, whereof he is lyneallye discended, in the grace and favour 
of the kings and princes in whose tymes they have lived, and in alliance 
and kindred with moste of the ancient nobilitie of this realme, and in the 
good will and good lykinge of the Cominaltie of the same realme ; and having 
therefore a speciall desire and reason to preserve contynue and leave all 
or the most parte of his possessions " to such person as in his opinion is 
most likely to continue the line " most like to his noble auncestors " he 
entails, subject to the payment of his debts, of a marriage portion of 3000 
to each daughter he may have (failing male issue) and of his sister's portion 
under his father's will, the whole estate specified on his cousins in tail 
male, viz., Hugh son and heir apparent of Aubrey Vere, John of Robert 
Vere, John, Francis, Robert and Horatius sons of Geoffrey Vere. 

Annexed is a long schedule of the Earl's debts headed by 3457 " to 
the Quene's maiestie." Among the creditors are goldsmiths, jewellers, 
mercers, upholders, embroiderers, haberdashers, armourers, drapers, tailors 
and shoemakers. Burghley, the Earl's father-in-law, is authorized to pay 
any debts omitted from the list. 3 

There are two actions in the Star Chamber in the time of Hen. VIII. 

Harl. 4189. Henry Copinger, of Buxhall, by Agnes 

i He was Henry Copinger, Prebendary of daughter of Sir Thomas Jermyn. 

York, and elected Master of Mag- 3 14 Rep. Hist. Com. pt. ix. 277, amongst 
dalen College,' Cambridge, son of the Round MSS. 

p 



122 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

by Anne Dowager Countess of Oxford, widow of John the I4th Earl, one 
against Robert Rochewode and the other against John Cooppyng and 
others as to killing of game and assault in Lavenham Park. 1 It does not 
appear at what date the manor passed to the Skinners though it is usually 
said to be about 1608, but it seems to have been in reality much earlier, for 
we find that an annual sum of 2 shillings and 9 pence (amongst other quit 
rents) given by Sir Thomas Skinner out of the Manor of Lavenham to 
Emmanuel College Cambridge March 2, 30 Eliz. 1587, three years after 
the founding of tne College. Edmund de Vere 17 Earl of Oxford mortgaged 
the Manors of Overhall and Netherhall, Lavenham, for 4300 by deed dated 
May 1583 the description being " All those the Manors of Overhall and 
Netherhall with the appurtenances in Lavenham, Thorpe Morieux, Ash- 
field, Preston, Brent Eleigh, Acton, Melford, Shimpling and Alpheton." 
The mortgage was to Richard Peacocke and Rowland Martyn, leather 
sellers, and pursuant to it a fine was duly levied in Trinity Term 25 Eliz. 

About 1608 Sir Thomas Skinner, Lord Mayor of London, held the 
manor ; indeed this year he had licence to alienate it to Isaac Woder, and 
by a deed dated the 15 Nov. 6 Jac. [1608] he conveyed the " Mannours of 
Overhall, Netherhall, Lavenham and Lanam " to Isaac Woder of Gray's 
Inn Esquire for 2400.* Isaac Woder by Deed dated the 3 January 9 
Jac. I. [1611] conveyed the same to Paul D'Ewes for 2500. The grant is 
of " all the manors of Overhall, Netherhall and Lavenham al. Lanham al. 
Lanam and the advowson of Lavenham (except land called ' Lavenham 
Parke ') containing by estimation 20 acres and also lands which were long 
since conveyed by and from Sir Thomas Skinner knt. and the said Isaac 
to Doctor Langworth.' Sir Thomas Skinner seems to have appointed one 
Christopher Goodwyn, a messenger of the Court of Wards and Liveries, to be 
steward of the manor, for we find amongst the Chancery Proceedings in 
the time of Elizabeth that this Christopher Goodwyn brings an action against 
Thomas Skynner and Edward Baker to be quieted in the possession of 
the stewardship or keeping of the Courts of Lavenham said to have been 
granted to plaintiff by Thomas Skynner late Lord Mayor of London deceased 
father of the defendant Skynner lord of the said manor. 4 

There is the record of an action between Thomas Skinner and Sir 
Thomas Skinner, knt. his son and Henry Copinger clerk then Parson of 
Lavenham in which the Court of Chancery ordered that Thomas Skinner 
and Sir Thomas Skinner the trustees should tender and pay yearly to the 
said Henry Copinger and his successors 40 a year in lieu of all tithes, 
growing &c. upon Lavenham Park to be paid quarterly, and if a whole 
year became due and remained unpaid, the said rate should cease, and 
tithes in kind become payable. From this it would appear as if a Thomas 
Skinner father of Sir Thomas Skinner had the manor prior to 1608, but as 
Thomas Skinner is described in the action as an alderman of the City of 
London he is probably the same as Sir Thomas Skinner the Lord Mayor. 

Paul D'Ewes the purchaser was a member of the ancient houses of 
Cleve and Home in Gelderland sometime lords of Kessell in that Duchy. 
Adrian des Ewes 2nd son of Gerard des Ewes the last lord of Kessell became 
heir of the family, his eldest brother dying young. He came to England 
in the time of Hen. VIII. and died of the sweating sickness which swept 
over London in 1551. He married Mary the daughter of John van Loe 

StarC.P.Hen.VIII.Bundlc27,ii3.28,2. Karl, in H. 38. 

Karl. 85 H. 33. C.P. i. 344. 



LAVENHAM. 123 

of Antwerp and left one son Gerard who settled in Essex and became lord of 
the Manor of Gaynes there. He married Grace the daughter of John Hind 
of Cambridgeshire, by whom he had 3 sons, Paul and John who both died 
young, and a second Paul, who was his heir. This Paul was one of the six 
clerks in Chancery and married Cicilia the sole daughter and heir of Richard 
Symonds of Croxfield in Dorsetshire, by whom he left one son, the celebrated 
antiquary, Symonds D'Ewes, who was knighted at Whitehall Dec. 6, 1626, 
and created a Baronet July 5, 1627. When Paul D'Ewes made his purchase 
of Lavenham Manor, Mary the widow of Sir Thomas Skinner was still living 
and was in fact in occupation of Lavenham Hall, which she had as part 
of her jointure, consequently the sale had to be made expectant on her 
interest. 1 Articles of Agreement between Paul D'Ewes and Edmund 
Browne as to reparations, &c., at Lavenham in 1623, will be found amongst 
the Harleian MSS. 2 and in the same Collection will be found particulars of 
an arbitration between him and William Playne as to a fine for lands in 
Lavenham 3 and old papers relating to a suit between him and tenants of 
Lavenham as to pulling down all the houses of the borough. 4 

There is also amongst the same MSS. an agreement in Chancery 
between Paul D'Ewes as lord of the manor and the inhabitants of Lavenham 
as to the custom of the town as tenants to be dispunishable for waste. 5 
In 1615 a claim was made by the Crown on Paul for forfeiture of the manor, 6 
but without any disturbing result, as the following year he settled and 
entailed the lordship. 7 Acquittances for homage of Manors in Lavenham 
in 1621, 1624, 1628, 1632, 1633, 1634 an d 1635 will be found amongst the 
Harleian Charters, 8 and an account of the fines collected at a Court Baron 
for Paul D'Ewes in 1622 are amongst the MSS. in the same Collection. 9 

Paul D'Ewes died in 1630 and was succeeded by his son Sir Symonds 
D'Ewes one of the most industrious literary activities of his age. Sir 
Symonds's work has not received that attention which it deserves. Only 
those who have carefully gone through his numerous abstracts of docu- 
ments and papers of every conceivable character still preserved amongst 
the Harleian MSS. in the British Museum, can form any true estimate 
of the value of his labours. His abstracts of the wills supposed to be 
preserved at Bury St. Edmunds alone are of great worth, as many of the 
originals have long since disappeared. 

Sir Symonds D'Ewes added to the Lavenham property, inherited from 
his father, by the purchase of 148 acres further part of Lavenham Park 
from Thomas Skynner. A receipt for the purchase money which was 1500 
will be found amongst the Harleian MSS. 10 An examination of this Thomas 
described as the son of Sir Thomas Skinner of " Lannun Park " is mentioned 
in the State Papers." Charles Skinner seems to have had an annuity out 
of the Park, and there is an acquittance by him in 1649 also in the 
Harleian Collection." A Deed of Covenants between Sir Symonds D'Ewes 
and John Scott on a demise of the Hall and part of the Park in 1636-7, and 
a petition of Sir Symonds to Lord Coventry Lord Keeper concerning the 
tithes of Lavenham Park, will also be found amongst the Harleian MSS.' 3 

1 Harl. MSS. 362 fol. 41. " Harl. 49 E. 13, 14 E. 19, E. 32, 35, E. 22, 

* Harl. 98. E. 43. 

3 Harl. 98. Harl. 99. 

4 Harl. 597. 'o Harl. 97. 

5 Harl. 99. j6i6 p. 351. 

* 13 Jac. I. Memoranda Rolls, Hil. Rec. " Harl. 97. 

Rot. 226. -3 Harl. 97, 98. 

' Harl. i ii F. 35. 



124 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Sir Symonds D'Ewes 1 married first Ann, sole daughter and heir of Sir 
William Clopton of Kent well Hall in Long Melford by whom he had a son 
Clopton who died an infant in 1631 and a daughter Cecilia who was heir 
to her mother's estate and married Thomas Darcy by which marriage the 
Darcys came to Kentwell Hall. His 2nd wife was Elizabeth daughter of 
Sir Henry Willoughby of Risby co. Derby, Bart, (who afterwards married 
Sir John Wray of Glentworth co. Lincoln, Bart.), by whom he had issue 
Sir Willoughby D'Ewes 2nd Bart. Sir Symonds after the death of his father 
Paul moved to Stowlangtoft and died in 1650. Sir Symonds D'Ewes appears 
to have been under the necessity of borrowing money from Arthur Barnar- 
diston and there are a series of deeds charging in effect the Manor of 
Lavenham to the amount of 1100 in his favour. These deeds are amongst 
the Harleian Charters. The first is a lease dated 3 June 17 Charles I. [1641] 
between Sir Symonds D'Ewes of the one part and Arthur Barnardiston 
of the Inner Temple esquire of the other part. In consideration of 600 Sir 
Symonds leases the Manor of Stowlangtoft and also the Manors of Lavenham, 
Overhall, and Netherhall for 21 years at a peppercorn rent, determinable : 
" If said Arthur Barnardiston and Arthur Barnardiston, Thomas 
Barnardiston, Anne Barnardiston and Mary Barnardiston, being all four 
the children of the said Arthur Barnardiston and Thomas Bradshaw they 
or any of them [? shall so long live] or (if it shall happen that the 
said Arthur Barnardiston the elder shall marry agayne and have any 
child or children by any future wife or wives.) If in such case also any 
such wife of the said Arthur Barnardiston the father, or any child or chil- 
dren which he the said Arthur the elder shall hereafter begett or any one of 
them or of any other the forementioned persons shall remayne and be 
liveing att the ennd and expiration of Seaven yeares of the foresaid tearme 
of one and twenty yeares (the said seaven yeares to bee accompted and 
take theyre inception from the foresaid feast day of the Annunciation of 
the Blessed Virgin Mary commonly called Lady day last past before the 
date of these presents)." The terms of the deed are extremely vague. 

Another deed dated the 4 June 17 Car. I. [1641] between Arthur 
Barnardiston and Sir Symonds D'Ewes recites the last lease for 21 years 
and contains a grant by Arthur Barnardiston to Sir Symonds D'Ewes 
(for divers good considerations) of the said manors for 7 years part of the 
21 years at a peppercorn rent. The effect of the two deeds was to give 
Arthur Barnardiston a charge on the manors for securing 1100. 

Another deed dated the 16 May 24 Charles I. (1648) between Arthur 
Barnardiston described as of Hedingham ad Castrum al. Castle Heding- 
ham co. Essex and Sir Symonds D'Ewes after reciting the Lease of 3 June 
17 Car. I. recites " And whereas he the said Sir Symonds D'Ewes doth 
by these presents acknowledge that by reason of some extraordinary 
occasions and through the troublesomeness of the times he could not well 
pay unto the said Arthur Barnardiston the elder (notwithstanding that 
the said Arthur and his fouresaid children are at present in life) the four- 
said summe of eleaven hundred pounds at the time and place before men- 
tioned and according to the purport true intent and meaning of the foure- 
said last recited Indenture without much prejudice to him the said Sir 
Symonds in his outward estate and that thereupon he the said Sir Symonds 
hath neglected to pay the said summe of Eleaven hundred pounds," Sir 
Symonds is allowed to rent the premises for 7 years more and if after the 

1 See Stowlangtoft Manor in Blackbourn Hund. 



LAVENHAM. 125 

expiration of this period he should pay to Arthur Barnardiston and his 
heirs or to Thomas Bradshaw and his heirs 1100 then the lease from Sir 
Symonds should be void. 

Sir Willoughby D'Ewes was an infant at the time of his father's death 
and his mother was his guardian. 1 He married Priscilla eldest daughter of 
Francis Clinton als. Fines of Stourton co. Lincoln and died in 1685 leaving a 
son and heir Sir Symonds 3rd Bart, who married Delariviere one of the 
daughters and coheirs of Thomas 2nd Lord Jermyn by whom he had issue 
two sons Jermyn and Willoughby and 4 daughters Delariviere married to 
Thomas Gage eldest son of Sir William Gage of Hengrave Bart., Mary to 
George Tasburgh of Norfolk and Harriet and Merriell. Sir Symonds D'Ewes 
the 3rd Bart, died in 1722 and was succeeded by his son Sir Jermyn as 4th 
Bart, who died unmarried in 1731 . The manor was then purchased by John 
Moore of Long Melford who died in 1753 and was succeeded by his son 
Richard Moore who died in 1782, when the manor passed to his widow Mary. 
Davy says that on her death in 1814 she was succeeded by her son and heir 
Richard Moore whose Trustees sold the manor to the Rev. Geo. Richard 
Pye who was lord in 1841. But Kirby says that in 1764 Henry Moore 
was lord, and in 1829 and 1835 makes the Rev. James Pye to be lord, as 
does Page in 1847. White in 1855 makes Geo. Richard Pye lord. The 
manor now belongs to Frederick James Underwood of the Common, 
Sevenoaks, Kent. 

Conveyances, &c., of the Manors of Overhall and Netherhall with the 
advowson in 1583, 1608, 1612, 1632, 1641 and 1648 are amongst the Harleian 
Charters. 2 Accounts of Edward Porter bailiff of Lavenham Manor will be 
found in the Harleian MSS. 3 and on the Patent Rolls for 1475 will be found 
a grant for life to Sir John Howard knt. of the office of steward of Lavenham 
Manor and 10 yearly for the said office from the manor, 4 and the same year 
a grant for life to John Rysby of the office of bailiff of the manor reserving 
the accustomed fees to the King's receiver there ; 5 also the same year a 
grant for life to Thomas Camellor of the office of receiver of the manor in 
the King's hand in consequence of the forfeiture of John Earl of Oxford 
receiving 10 marks yearly from the issues and profits. 6 A compotus of 
the manor 1511-12 will be found amongst the Harleian Rolls in the Brit. 
Mus. 7 

A Book of Court Rolls 1631 is in the Harleian Collection 8 and the 
Court Rolls themselves from 1635 to 1650 and 1660 to 1667 are amongst 
the Rolls of the same Collection 9 with extracts from Court Rolls 1497 to 
1608.' 

The manor court elected the Headborough of the town of Lavenham 
and the capital Burgess paid to the lord of the manor a common fine by 
ancient custom of eight shillings and four pence. From " time to the 
contrary of which the memory of man is not " there have been 6 capital 
Burgesses and the custom was that as often as any of them by death or 
any other deprivation were removed those capital Burgesses who survived 
chose fit inhabitants and tenants within the borough successors in the 
room of those deceased or removed. An extract from a Court 

1 State Papers 1684, Cal. of Comp. 1962. * Pat. Rolls, 15 Edw. IV. pt. iii. 16. 

' Harl. 57 H. 18, 85 H. 23, in H. 38, 57 7 Harl. Roll, A. 15. 

H. 37, in H. 16, 28, in H. 17. " Harl. 362. 

Harl. 6709. ' Harl. Rolls, H. 16-19. 

Pat. Rolls, 15 Edw. IV. pt. ii. 8, 4. ' Harl. 55 H. 30, 37. 
* Pat. Rolls, 15 Edw. IV. pt. ii. 19. 



ia6 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

held for the Manor of Lavenham by Richard Moore the 26 April 
1775 before John Mudd Deputy Steward of Isaac Paske Gent. 
Steward which is given by McKeon in his " Inquiry as to the Charities of 
Lavenham " shows how the election was usually made and how 
practically the Court of the Manor was the centre from which the govern- 
ment of the town was derived. The election of the Burgesses was actually 
made in Court. In the Record of the Court referred to, after reciting the 
mode of government by Burgesses as mentioned above, it proceeds " and 
because all the said capital Burgesses are dead except the said Brooke 
Branwhite, Edward Coldham, and Charles Squire, And the said Edward 
Coldham and Charles Squire are removed out of the said Borough of Laven- 
ham, Therefore the said Edward Coldham and Charles Squire are at this 
Court removed from their said office of capital Burgess. And the said 
Brooke Branwhite hath chosen Samuel Coote, Thomas Watts, Philip 
Sturgeon, Thomas Kitbourn and John Studd capital Burgesses in the room 
of those deceased and amoved, which said Samuel Coote, Thomas Watts, 
Philip Sturgeon, Thomas Kitbourn and John Studd are sworn in open 
Oourt to do all those things which on this behalf belong to them and most 
conducive to the public good of this Manor and Burgh." 

The tenants of the manor have various privileges as is not surprising 
considering what a powerful family so long occupied the position of lord. 
They and it seems also other inhabitants of the town have always been 
exempt from serving any Court held for the Hundred of Babergh, and 
though they have been oftentimes summoned to serve, " the Earl of Oxford 
and their own officers (as the author of the " Magna Britannia " states) 
have always commanded the contrary, so they took themselves exempt." 
It seems that no exemption has been claimed in modern times. The 
custom of the manor is Borough-English, that is that the younger sons 
inherit the lands and tenements of which their fathers died seised in the 
event of their dying intestate. " This custom called ' Burrough-English ' 
is," says Hawes in his " History of Framlingham '" " contrary to the 
positive laws of God 1 and inverts the very order of nature ; it was originally 
introduced into this kingdom by a wicked and adulterous practice amongst 
the barbarous Saxons ; for the lords of certain lands which held of them in 
Villenage did usually in those pagan and barbarous times lye with their 
tenants' wives the first night after marriage. 3 And this usage was continued 
after those very lands were purchased by freemen who in time obtained 
this custom on purpose that their eldest sons (who might be their lord's 
bastards) should be incapable to inherit their estates." Modern research 
has rather blown on the fanciful idea as to the existence of the lord's right 
referred to, and as to the origin of the custom of Borough-English. 

The original manor house is supposed to have stood close to what is now 
called Lavenham Hall, and some few years ago its extensive ruins were still 
visible and the piece of land called and known by the name of Saffron 
Pans or Panes was the garden attached to the original mansion house. 
Particulars of a case between one Baxton and Sir Symonds D'Ewes as to 
this piece of land about 1644 will be found amongst the Harl. MSS. 4 A 
large park which occupied nearly half the parish was attached, and the 
manor house was occasionally the residence of the Earls of Oxford from 

' P- 389, 390- ' Pref. Mod. Rep. vol. 3. 

Deut. xxi. 15, 16, 17, Gen. xxix. 26, i Harl. 99. 
Kings xi. 22, I Chron. v. I. 



LAVENHAM. 127 



the very earliest times to the opening of the lyth century. The hall was 
at one time the centre of an important industrial place, for Lavenham was 
famous for the manufacture of blue cloth, though even more so for the 
making of yarn from wool and says and calimancoes till the fashion arose 
among the ladies for wearing Spanish leather for their shoes. 




128 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



LAWSHALL MANOR. 

| HE lordship and advowson anciently belonged to the Abbot 
and Convent of Ramsay in Huntingdonshire, by virtue of a 
grant made by Alfwinus the son of Bricius in the year 1022. 
It was held with 8 carucates of land as a manor with soc. 
In the Confessor's time there were 14 villeins, 12 bordars, 
4 slaves, 2 ploughteams in demesne and 10 belonging to the 
men, 8 acres of meadow and i rouncey. There was a church 
living with 30 acres of free land, and the whole was valued at 8 pounds. 
By the time of the Great Survey the value was placed at 12 pounds, and 
there were 2 more villeins, and one more slave but 2 bordars less. We 
find also an additional ploughteam in demesne and 10 beasts, 30 hogs, 
100 sheep, and 12 goats. The manor was a league long and half a league 
broad and paid in a gelt 15^.' 

The manor continued in the holding of the Abbot and Convent of 
Ramsey until the dissolution being held of the King in chief and as per- 
taining to the barony of Ramsey. 1 The Abbot claimed to have gallows 
and free warren here, as we learn from the Hundred Rolls 3 and Charters 
relating to these lands of the Abbey here in 1254-1353 will be found in the 
Brit. Museum 4 and the Accounts of the Reeve bailiff and collector of these 
lands 7 Edw. I. to 2 Hen. V. will be found in the Public Record Office. 3 
Court Rolls of the manor while in the possession of the Abbey of Ramsey 
will also be found in the Record Office for the following years 38, 40, 41 
Edw. III. 2 Rich. II. i to 4, 14 Hen. VII. 6 to 9, n, 12, 25 and 26 Hen. 
VIII. 6 and a Court Roll for 1466 is in the British Museum. 7 

There is preserved amongst the ancient deeds in the Record Office a 
direction by Hen. II. to the Sheriff and ministers of Suffolk ordering them 
to allow Lawshall a town of St. Benedict Ramsey and all its men to be 
quit of shire and hundred Courts and pleas, and all other suits except 
murders and theft and that it shall have soc and sac, toll and team and 
infangtheif and all other customs as in the time of King Henry his grand- 
father. 8 The date is about 1155. 

Also amongst these deeds is a Bond dated in 1269 in 20 marks by 
William Herberd of Lawshall Manor to the Abbot of Ramsey to maintain 
the sons and messuage of late Alexander Hemning in as good or better 
state than when he first had access to the wife of the said Alexander. For 
this and other things, the said abbot and convent have granted him the 
custody of the boys and tenement until any of the said boys come to the 
age at which by the custom of Lawshall Manor he can hold land, and then 
he shall have half the land and messuage and the other half shall remain 
to the said William and his wife for her life and after her decease the said 
William shall have nothing further therein. 9 

Amongst the fines we meet with one of Lawshall Manor in 1318 levied 
by Thomas de Hanningfeld and Isabella his wife against Thomas Maun- 
devill. 10 

Dom. ii. 3786. * Portfolio 203, 97. 

H.R. ii. 142, 153. ' Add. Roll 34933. 

ii. 143, 153, 195. A. 6288. 

Add. Ch. 34259-34264. 53 Hen. III. A. 7487. 

Bundle 1001, N f o.7-i7; Bundle 1002. No. " Feet of Fines, 12 Edw. II. 17. 
1-7- 



LAWSHALL MANOR. 129 

At the dissolution the manor was, together with the advowson, granted 
by the Crown to John Either. Particulars for the grant are in existence, and 
referred to in the Deputy Keeper's loth Report. 1 The disgusting bribery 
and the grabbing after the monastic property is well shown up in a letter 
by one William Woode to Cromwell, asking to have by gift or purchase a 
farm of 8 a year at Lawshall, which he had of the Abbey of Ramsey. 
He promises to bequeath to Cromwell all he gets through him. 2 

The manor does not seem to have remained long with Rither, for in 
1547 ne s ld it together with the advowson to Sir William Drury 3 
and on the Memoranda Rolls for 1571 is a claim by the Crown on Elizabeth 
Drury widow, and Henry her son for forfeiture of the manor. 4 

Near the Church was an old brick house formerly belonging to the 
Drurys with their arms in brick over one of the doors and the date 1557. 
There is an entry in the Parish Register of this place under the year 1578 
as follows : " It is to be remembred that the Queens highnesse in her 
progresse riding from Melford to Bury 5 Aug. Reg. R. 20 an. Dni. 
1578 dined at Lawshall Hall to the great rejoycing of ye said Parish and 
the Country thereabouts." 

The name " Elizabeth Drewry " of Lawshall appears in the list of 
Papist Recusants in 1595. " She hath byn prisoner to Sir John Heygham 
knt." She must have been wife of Robert Drury of Lawshall 2nd son of 
Sir William Drury of Hawstead. We meet with a fine levied in 1581 in 
respect of rent from the manor between Henry Drury and Sir Wm. Drury, 5 
and in 1588 Henry Drury apparently disposed of the manor to Thomas 
Lovell. 6 In 1598 we meet with a fine of " Lawcell Manor," which is not 
unlikely this manor. It was levied between Robert Lee and Robert 
Gouldinge and others. 7 

In 1734 both manor and advowson were vested in Thomas Lee, to 
whom succeeded Baptist Lee of Livermere Parva who died the 23 March 
1768 and devised the same to his nephew Nathaniel Lee Acton. He 
married ist Susanna Miller eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Miller of Chi- 
chester Bart, who died without issue the 5 April 1789 ; and 2ndly Penelope 
eldest daughter of Sir Richard Rycroft of Penshurst Bart, who died 
without issue the 5 November 1819. Nathaniel Lee Acton survived until 
1836, when dying seised of the manor and advowson they passed to his 
eldest sister and heir, who survived but a few months and then passed to 
his next sister Harriot, Lady Middleton widow of Sir William Fowle Middle- 
ton Bart, of Shrubland Park, who was succeeded by her son Sir William 
Fowle Middleton 2nd Bart, who married the Hon. Anne Cust, youngest 
sister of Earl Brownlow and died in 1860 without issue, when the manor 
passed to Sir George Nathaniel Broke Middleton the son of Sir Philip Bowes 
Vere Broke Bart, of Broke Hall by Sarah Louisa his wife daughter of Sir 
Wm. Fowle Middleton ist Bart, he inheriting under the will of his maternal 
grandfather the said Sir William Fowle Middleton. By royal licence the 17 
July 1860 he assumed the surname of Middleton after that of Broke. He was 
made C.B. and a knight of the Medjedie for his services in command of 
the " Gladiator " during the war with Russia, and married Albinia-Maria 
2nd daughter of Thomas Evans of Lyminster but died in 1887 without 

App. ii. p. 262, 37 Hen. VIII. s Fine, Easter, 23 Eliz. 

' State Papers, 1539, 566. 6 Fine, Hil. 30 Eliz. 

3 Fine, Trin. i Edw. VI. 7 Fine, Trin. 40 Eliz. 
' M. 13 Eliz. Mich. Rec. Rot. 81. 



130 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

ue, when the manor passed to hi* niece Jane Anna, the eldest daughter 
of his brother Charles Acton Vere Broke [who had married Anna Maria 
3rd daughter of John Hamilton of Sundrum, Aryshire, and died in 1855]. 
She married James St. Vincent Sumarez 4th Baron Do Sumarez, who 
is the present lord of the manor and patron of the living and resides at 
Shmbland Park. 

Amongst the Chancery Proceedings of the time of Eliz. is a claim 
by John Elye and Mary his wife against George Barrell to lands held of 
Lawshall Manor late the estate of Alice Anderwood, mother of the plaintiff 
Mary ;' and an action by Margaret Golding widow against William Bradley 
and others as to a messuage and lands also held of the manor of which 
defendant Edward Rookwood was lord.* 

Lawshall Hall is an interesting old brick edifice standing close to the 
church. The walls are in some places 6 feet thick and many of the original 
features of the old place have been retained. There are some curious 
underground passages which tradition, as usual, declares to be of most 
extensive character, connecting the place with Coldham Hall about a mile 
distant. The most interesting portion of the Hall is what was probably 
the Chapel. It is pleasing to find that this interesting old mansion is well 
preserved and is in such good hands as Mr. Baker and his niece Miss Harvey. 



1 C.P. i. 272. ' C.P. i. 354- 




MELFORD (LONG). I3I 



LONG MELFORD. 

pNG MELFORD is the largest village in extent and 
population in Suffolk, and acquired the affix Long by 
reason of it consisting mainly of one street almost a mile 
long. The name Melford was derived from the Mill ford, 
the site of which was where the main bridge now stands, 
the mill being one of the water-mills mentioned in the 
survey of the parish in Domesday Book. 
Melford in Saxon times formed part of the great possession of Earl 
Alfric, the son of Withgar or Wisgar as the name appears in the Great 
Survey, or Widgar as it appears in the Abbot's Chartulary. This Thane, 
who was styled the " famous Earl," had the custody for Queen Emma, 
mother of the Confessor, of the franchise of the eight hundreds and a half 
later known as the Liberty of St. Edmund. The Manor of Melford was 
given by Earl Alfric to the Abbey of St. Edmund in the time 
of Leofstan, who was the Abbot of that monastery from 1044 to 1065. 
The Chartulary of Abbot John de Norwold made in 1287 recites this grant 
as follows : 

" Earl Alfric, son of Widgar, presented Melford to St. Edmunds as 
stated in the Register S.P. fol. 32 in these words : ' In the time of St. 
Edmund King and Confessor, and of Leofstam the Abbot, Alfric the son 
of Witgar the famous Earl gave Melford to St. Edmund and gave a manor 
to this church and to St. Edmund, and to Leofstan the Abbot : and he 
conveyed to them the induction of this church in perpetuity and bound 
his son Withgar to the same, so that their charter then came into the hands 
of the monks.' ' This Alfric the Thane was an important character in the 
time of the Confessor. He was the kinsman of Alfar and of Leofgion, a noble 
lady, as appears by her Testament written in Anglo-Saxon. The Collegiate 
Church of St. John the Baptist at Clare, afterwards removed to Stoke by 
Clare, was founded by him with the consent of his son Withgar. The 
Honor of Clare was composed chiefly of the great possessions of this Thane 
in Suffolk and Essex. 

In Saxon times the lordship was held by the Abbot of St. Edmunds 
with 12 carucates of land. 

In the Confessor's time 40 acres of this land were held by Walter of 
the Abbot, and there were 37 villeins, 25 bordars, 8 ploughteams in 
demesne, 20 belonging to the men, 16 slaves, 50 acres of meadow, wood for 
60 hogs, 2 mills, 30 beasts, 140 hogs, and 2 socmen with 80 acres of land. 
By the time of the Great Survey there were but 10 bordars and 2 of the 
ploughteams in demesne, and 7 of those belonging to the men had disappeared; 
but on the other hand there were 3 rounceys, 300 sheep, 12 hives of bees and 
40 forest mares additional. The above Walter also held of the Abbot 
one (sic) with 40 acres and 2 ploughteams. Over them the Abbot had com- 
mendation and sac and soc and all customs, nor could they ever give or 
sell these lands without the Abbot's consent. There was also a church 
living with 2 carucates of land, 4 villeins, 9 bordars, 2 ploughteams 
belonging to the Church and 2 to the men. 

In Saxon times this manor was valued at 20 pounds, but at the time 
of the Domesday Survey at 30. It was 18 quarantenes long and I league 
broad, and paid in a gelt, whoever might be the holder, 20^.' In a survey 

' Dom. ii. 359. 



132 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

made of the Melford Manor as held by the Abbot of St. Edmunds in 1287 
compiled from the report of Salomon of Rochester, Thomas de Sudington, 
Richard de Boiland and Walter de Hopton, the King's justiciaries itinerant 
the particulars are given as follows : " The Abbot of St. Edmunds as Lord 
of Melford holds a manor in this vill from the King in chief, by a free grant in 
perpetuity, as well by the right of his lordship of St. Edmund. And there 
are in the same 800 acres of arable land 243. of mowing meadow, 53 acres 
of separable pasture and 360 acres of wood. And he has rights over this 
manor of Furca' and Trimberell ;* also of Bussellus, 5 Lagen, 4 and other 
measures ; and to hold in frank pledge and to impound all trespassers ; 
and he has rights of Barony : and ne has also the right of use of his vassals' 
working cattle : and he has Infrangtheif 5 , free warren over his lordship, 
two water-mills, and free right of Boar and Bull. 6 

" The advowson and gift of the Church of Melford also belongs to 
the Abbot ; and this church is endowed with 236 acres of land, 10^ acres 
of meadow, n acres of pasture and 4 acres of woodland from the gift of 
Alfric, son of Widgar formerly the lord of the said barony. The said Abbot 
also possesses in this township in the said lordship 600 acres of arable land 
which his villeins hold of him with their messuages ; he also has four acres 
of land, which his cottars hold of him." 

The great Saxon Manor of Melford became in course of time divided 
into 6 manors, not including the Manor of Kentwell, which is separately 
entered in the Domesday Survey. All save Luton's and Woodford's 
continued in the Abbot of Bury until the Dissolution of the Monasteries, 
except that Monks Melford Manor was in 1199 vested in the Hospital of 
St. Saviour without the north gate of Bury and continued in this Institution 
also until the Dissolution. 

The Abbot had the grant in Melford, in 1235, f a weekly market on 
Thursday, and a yearly fair to last 3 days, viz., on the vigil, day, and morrow 
of the Holy Trinity unless the said market and fair should be to the hindrance 
of neighbouring markets and fairs, 7 and he also had free warren there. 8 
Many of the abbots made the Hall their occasional retreat from the incessant 
contentions which seemed to be the necessary sphere of the Head of so 
powerful a monastic house in the Middle Ages. Often these houses suffered 
damage during a vacancy, when the temporalities vested in the King, and 
from the Hundred Rolls of 1275 we find that John Walraven, Escheator of 
the King, destroyed the cattle and damaged the park at Melford, whilst 
the manor was in the King's hands after the decease of Edmund the Abbot. 
It is obvious that the record related to an incident which occurred in the 
previous reign, no doubt between 1256 and 1257 in the interval of the 
abeyance of the Abbacy in the reign of Hen. III. 

Amongst the Harleian MSS. 9 is the copy of a lease made in 1534, in 
which the last Abbot of Bury, John Reeve al. Melford, a native of the village, 
elected abbot in 1514, lets the Manor of Melford called Melford Hall with 
" the feadyngs of the comon called Melford Grene, longyng to the sayde 

1 Or gallows on which he could hang felons. 5 Or the right to pass judgment for any 
' Or the right of pillory on which he could theft committed, or any thief taken, 

punish misdemeanours, and also within his manor. 

scolds and nagging women by 6 That is, he could depasture those animals 

ducking. at will in the meadows or lands of 

1 Or the right to control all measures in every person within his manor. 

his manor, his own bushel to be ' Chart. Rolls, 19 Hen. III. 5. 

the standard for all. ' H.R. ii. 143. 

4 Or the measure for liquid. ' Harl. 308. 



MELFORD (LONG). 133 

Manour. And also closes whereof the on is called Parkefelde and the 
other is called the Horse Pasture and two meadowes, the one called Smal 
Medowe, and the other called Parke Medowe lying in Melford aforeseyd 
in the seyd counte of Suffolk : except oute take and reservyd unto the 
seyd Abbott and hys successors on of the best Chaumbers within the seyd 
manour wyth ffree ingate and outegate into and fro the same at all tymes 
at hys pleasure duryng all the seyd terme of the seyd lease " for the term 
of 30 years to Dame Frances Pennington. In this lease it is covenanted 
that the said Dame Fraunces shall pay 45. a year to the abbot, 45. a year to 
the bailiff of Babergh Hundred, and 45. a year " to the crosse berer of the 
seyd abbot and his successors, on of the best chambers within the seid 
maner wyth ffree ingate and outegate in to and fro the same at all tymes 
at hys pleasure duryng all the seyd terme of the seid lease," and " shall 
fynde at hir costs and charges the seid abbott or his officers comying onys 
in the yeere to the courte and leete of the seid abbott at the seid manner to 
be kept, sufficient met and drynk, with bedding in ther chambre, hey and 
otys for their horses, by all the seid terme, for that tyme beyng there at 
the seid courte and lete." On the part of the abbot and convent it is 
covenanted to do all needful repairs to the houses of the said manor ; to 
permit Dame Fraunces to have 500 of wood yearly out of the woods in Mel- 
ford and to have the feeding of the Little Park, " so that the same Dame 
Fraunces, not her assignes, do non harm on to the spring." On taking 
possession of the manor, the said Dame Fraunceys was to have delivered 
to her " the chaff e and strawe of all the corne growyng of eleven acres of 
grownde," and the " implements of house," which were to be re-delivered 
at the expiration of the lease. 

Within five or six years from the date of this instrument the Abbey of 
St. Edmund was dissolved, its last abbot had died of a broken heart, and 
the Manor of Melford, with the other possessions of the abbey had become 
vested in the Crown. 

LONG MELFORD MANOR. 

This was granted in 1545 by the Crown to Sir William Cordell, a family 
which had been seated from an early period in the County. Sir William 
was the son of John Cordell the son of Robert Cordell of London, merchant' 
and his mother was Emma daughter of Henry Webbe of Kimbolton in 
Huntingdonshire. He was a man of considerable attainments as a lawyer, 
filling the important office of Master of the Rolls in the time of Elizabeth. 
He was also appointed a Privy Councillor with a grant of the privilege of 
twelve retainers. In 1538 being elected a member of Parliament for Suffolk 
he was chosen to be Speaker and received the honour of knighthood. In 
1578 Sir William entertained Queen Elizabeth at Melford Hall. Church- 
yard, the chronicler of this progress of the Queen, says, " There were two 
hundred young gentlemen, clad all in white velvet, and three hundred of 
the graver sorts, apparelled in black velvet coates, and fair chaynes, all 
ready at one instant and place, with 1,500 serving-men more, on horseback, 
well and bravely mounted, in good order ready to troope and a noble sight 
to behold. And all these waited on the sheriff, Sir William Spring, during 
the Queen's majesties abode in those parties, and to the very confines of 
Suffolke ; but before her highness passed into Norfolke, there was in Suffolke 
such sumptuous feasting and bankets as seldom in any part of the world 

1 The Howard MSS. state that John Cordell was the 2nd son of Edmund Cordell of Edmonton 
co. Middlesex, and that he, Jolm, was buried at Melford the 7 Jan. 1563. 



134 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

hath been seen before. The Maister of the Rolls, Sir Wm. Cordell, was one 
of the first that begaine this great feasting and did light such a candle to 
the rest of the shire that many were glad, bountifully and franckly, to follow 
the same example, with such charges and costs, as the whole traine were 
in some sorte pleased therewith." 

Sir William Cordell is supposed to have drawn up the Statutes of St. 
John's College, Oxford, by desire of the founder, Sir Thomas Whyte, who 
appointed him visitor of the College during his life. He was an encourager 
of learned men, and through his aid Christopher Laxton was able to pro- 
duce the ist English Atlas and William Lambarde dedicated to him his 
famous book entitled " Archaionomia " a System of Saxon Laws in Latin 
1568 in which he acknowledges the many obligations he was under to Sir 
William. In 1553 he had a grant of the dissolved hospital of St. Saviour's at 
Bury and the Manor of Long Melford was confirmed to him in 1554.' The 
Patent of Confirmation of 26 Nov. 1554 is at Melford Hall, according to 
Sir Wm. Parker, who states that it contains the grant of the demesne and 
Manor of Melford otherwise Long Melford with the park of Long Melford 
in Suffolk, with all rights appurtenant thereto, as held by the dissolved 
Abbey of St. Edmund's, Bury, to hold the same of the Queen and her 
successors of her manor of East Greenwich in Kent. Also the advowson 
and presentation of the parish church of Melford. Also the mansion-house 
called Melford Lodge in Long Melford Park, with all the deer in the said 
park with right of free warren. Also the capital messuage of Melford Hall 
(the old Hall on the site of the presenf), with two closes of land and pasture 
called Parkfield, and horse pasture and two meadows called Small Medow and 
Park Medow with all buildings, gardens, belongings, &c., as lately in the 
occupation of Dame Fraunces Pennyngton widow and afterwards in the 
occupation of Francis Johnson. Various lands are then specified, and all 
other farms, messuages, lands, &c., in Melford and Acton and the manor and 
rights of Court of Melford, and the right of market and fair. The grant also 
included some of the lands and tithes which had been alienated from Melford 
Church by Abbot Sampson's grant to St. Saviour's Hospital. Amongst the 
Chancery Proceedings in the time of Elizabeth will be found an action as 
to the adjustment of accounts of William Necton as receiver of estates 
late of Sir Wm. Cordell. 1 

Sir Wm. Cordell married Mary daughter and heir of Richard Clopton 
of Forehall, Melford, but died without leaving issue the ijth May, 1581, and 
was buried in the chancel of Melford Church the 19 June 1581. One 
panel of the inscription on his monument runs thus : 

Hie Gulielmus habet requiem, Cordellus, avito 

Stemmate Vir clams ; clarior Ingenio. 

In studiis primes consumpsit fortiter annos ; 

Mox et Causarum strenuus Actor erat. 

Tanta Illi Doctrina inerat, Facundia, tanta, 

Ut Parlamenti publica Lingua foret. 

Postea factus Eques, Reginae arcana Mariae 

Consilia, et Patrije grande subibat opus. 

Factus est et Gustos Rotulorum ; urgente senectl, 

In Christo moriens, coepit ad astra viam. 

Pauperibus largus, victum, vestemque ministrans, 

Insuper Hospitii condidit llle Domum. 

1 Originalia I and 2 P. and M. 3 Pars Rot. C.P. ii. 276. 
31. See I M. 3 Pars Rot. 40. 



MELFORD (LONG). 135 

The inscription is thus quaintly rendered by Fuller : 

" Here William Cordal doth in rest remain, 
Great by his birth, but greater by his brain ; 
Plying his studies hard his youth throughout, 
Of causes he became a pleader stout ; 
His learning deep such eloquence did vent, 
He was chose Speaker of the Parliament. 
Afterwards knight Queen Mary did him make, 
And counsellor, state-work to undertake ; 
And Master of the Rolls. Well worn with age, 
Dying in Christ heaven was his utmost stage. 
Diet and clothes to poor he gave at large 
And a fair almshouse founded on his charge." 

By his will dated the ist January 1580, he devised lands and tithes for the 
support of the hospital for a warden and twelve brethren which he had 
founded in Melford and endowed with the lands which belonged to the 
dissolved hospital of St. Saviour at Bury St. Edmunds, and which afterwards 
received a royal grant of incorporation. He gave a life interest in his 
Melford property to his wife, then to his sister Jane, wife of Richard Alington 
2nd son of Sir Giles Alington of Horseheath co. Cambridge for her life and 
then entailed the same on his brothers Francis and Edward with remainder 
to the heirs of his sister Jane Alington then a widow. 1 The charity given 
by Sir William Cordell's will was confirmed by letters patent in the 33 year 
of Q. Elizabeth. The charity is still in existence and consists of a warden 
and 12 brethren and two sisters to attend upon them. The warden is 
supplied with a gown and suit of black cloth, and two pairs of shoes yearly ; 
and each one of the brethren has a suit of black cloth, and two pairs of 
shoes yearly, and a gown every alternate year. There is a common hall 
wherein they dine, and to each brother is allowed lib. of meat, i quart of 
beer, and an allowance of bread, daily. The warden is allowed double 
commons, but receives compensation instead thereof in money. The 
two sisters have a similar allowance of provision, but are not supplied with 
any kind of clothing from the funds of the charity, nor do they dine at 
the same table with the warden and brethren. The will directs that each 
brother shall receive 2OS. by equal quarterly payments, the warden 405. 
and each sister 405. ; but these payments have been increased. The 
Hospital consists of a quadrangle, and is divided, so far as regards three sides, 
into 12 separate lodgments for the 12 brethren, who have each a keeping 
room and bed chamber ; the fourth side contains the common hall, the 
warden's apartments, and accommodation for the two sisters, together with 
kitchen, brewhouse, &c. The whole is kept in excellent repair ; and 
the income of the charity is applied in maintaining and clothing the inmates. 
The total expenditure averages upwards of 800 per annum. 

Particulars of the lands, houses, &c., granted by Sir Wm. Cordell for 
the endowment of the Hospital and the Statutes and Rules will be found 
amongst the Lansdowne MSS. in the Brit. Mus. and the Tanner MSS. in 
the Bodleian. 2 

A letter of John Spring as to the Hospital with his pedigree will be 
found amongst the Additional MSS. in the Brit. Museum. 3 We find amongst 
the Chancery Proceedings of the time of Elizabeth an action for discovery 
of effects, &c., in a suit between Jane Alington, George Carge and Edward 

1 Lansd. MSS. Brit. Mus. 66, 50. 3 Add. 6402. 

Lansd. 66, 49, 51 ; Tanner cxxxvii. 53. 



136 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Cordell executors of Sir William Cordell, and Dame Mary Cordell and George 
Moore, concerning which Sir \Yilliam Cordell devised to his wife for life.' 

Francis Cordell died in 1586' without issue, before he had livery of 
the estate, as also did Edward in 1594.* Jane Alington, then a widow, 
levied a fine of the manor against Peter Crisell and others in 1599* and died 
on the 4th January 1602 leaving two daughters co-heirs, Mary who married 
Sir John Savage knt. of Clifton co. Chester, and Cordelia married to Sir 
John Stanhope knt., and was mother of Philip ist Earl of Chesterfield. 
During Jane's holding an action was brought in 1599 by John Wrighte 
and Anne his wife, late wife of Robert Alington, against her and another, 
to be quieted in possession of the farm in Melford which Robert Alington 
had hired of Jane Alington widow, sister and heir of Sir W. Cordell. 5 

This manor passed to Sir John Savage, in right of his wife Mary, and 
his son Thomas succeeded in 1609. Amongst the State Papers will be 
found a grant in 1610 from Sir Thomas Savage to Wm. Noy the well-known 
lawyer of an annuity of 5 issuing out of the manor as a retaining fee. 6 
Sir Thomas Savage married Elizabeth, eldest daughter and eventual co- 
heir of Thomas Lord Darcy of Chiche which Lord Darcy was created the 
5th July 1621 Viscount Colchester and elevated the 4 Nov. 1626 to the 
dignity of Earl Rivers, both honours to revert in default of male issue 
to his son-in-law Sir Thomas Savage and his male issue who was himself 
created two days afterwards Viscount Savage of Rock Savage in the County 
of Chester. Lord Savage resided at Melford Hall, and had a licence granted 
to himself and wife to impark lands in Melford in i6i2. 7 It seems that 
the grant was by letters patent and was of 340 acres of park and warren 
round Melford Hall, with the deer therein and full rights of chase and 
warren. Amongst the Memoranda Rolls 7 Car. I. will be found a claim 
by Thomas, Viscount Savage, of liberty within the manor. 8 We learn 
something of the home life of the party there from that voluminous writer 
James Howell, who lived for some time at the Hall as tutor in the family. 
Writing in 1619 to Daniel Caldwall he say : " My dear Dan, Though 
considering my former condition in life I may now be called a countryman, 
yet you cannot call me a rustic (as you would imply in your letter) as long 
as I live in so civil and noble a family, as long as I lodge in so virtuous 
and regular a house as any I believe in the land, both for aeconomical govern- 
ment and the choice company ; for I never saw yet such a dainty race of 
children in all my life together. I never saw yet such an orderly and 
punctual attendance of servants, nor a great house so neatly kept ; here 
one shall see no dog nor cat nor cage to cawse any nastiness within the 
body of the house. The kitchen and gutters and other offices of noise and 
drudgery are at the fag end ; there's a back gate for the beggars and the 
meaner sort of swains to come in at. The stables butt upon the park, 
which, for a chearful, rising ground, for groves and browsing ground for 
the deer, for rivulets of water, may compare with any for its highness in 
the whole land. It is opposite to the front of the great house, whence from 
the gallery one may see much of the game when they are a hunting. Now 
for the gardening and costly choice flowers, for ponds, for stately large 

1 C.P. i. 29. 4 Fine, Trin. 41 Eliz. 

He was buried at Long Melford the 12 ' Chancery Proceedings, /. Eliz. iii. 219. 

Nov. 1586. ' State Papers, 1610, 633. 

1 Edward married Eliz. or Anne dau. of ' Originalia, 10 Jac. I. 3 Pars Rot. 167. 

- Harrison, and she was buried ' M. Mich. Rec. Rot. 

at Long Melford the 30 Oct. 1586. 



MELFORD (LONG). 137 

walks green and gravelly, for orchards and choice fruits of all sorts, there 
are few the like in England. Here you have your Bon Christian pear and 
Bergamot in perfection ; your Muscatel grapes in such plenty that there 
are some bottles of wine sent every year to the King ; and one Mr. Daniel, 
a worthy gentleman hard by, who hath been long abroad, makes good 
store in his vintage. Truly this house of Long Melford, tho' it be not so 
great, yet it is so well compacted and contrived with such dainty con- 
veniences every way, that if you saw the landskip of it you would be 
mightily taken with it, and it would serve for a choice pattern to build and 
contrive a house by. 

Your's, J. H. 
May 20, 1619.'" 

Lord Savage died in 1635 and was buried at Macclesfield, leaving his 
widow Elizabeth surviving, who in 1641 was created Countess of Rivers 
for life. She was a Roman Catholic, and the owner not only of this manor, 
but also of St. Osyth Priory in Essex, and large estates in Cheshire through 
her father and Lady Lumley. Her losses during the Civil War are said to 
have exceeded those of any person, not even excepting Lord Arundel of 
Wardour. An Essex mob sacked the Essex Priory and stripped the house, 
even pulling off the lead from the roof, and it is said they did not leave a 
window or door in the place. The furniture of the costliest description 
and the plate and valuables to a great amount were carried off or destroyed 
by the mob, and the Countess fled for her life to her mansion house at 
Melford, whither she was pursued. Here again she made her escape, but 
the havoc done by the mob was very extensive, the hall being also com- 
pletely rifled. 

Peck in his " Desiderata Curiosa " thus describes the sacking of 
Melford Hall : " The 2Oth August 1642 the King having left the Parlia- 
ment and thereby a loose reine being putt into the mouth of the 
unruly multitute, many thousands swarmed to the pulling down of Long 
Melford House, a gallant-seat belonging to the Countess of Rivers : and 
to the endangering of her person and she being a recusant, they made that 
their pretence, but spoyle and plunder was their ayme. This furie was 
not only in the rabble, but many of the better sort behav'd themselves as 
if there had been a dissolution of all government. No man could remain 
in his own house without feare, nor bee abroad with safetie." 

The losses of the Countess at St. Osyth and Melford were estimated at 
100,000, but those who had a more intimate acquaintance with the richness 
of the furniture, the amount of costly hangings and choice paintings and 
plate, placed the damage nearer 150,000, to say nothing of the 
destruction wrought in Melford Park. On fleeing from Melford the 
Countess attempted to find refuge in Bury St. Edmunds, but the gates were 
shut against her, and only after considerable difficulty did she obtain refuge 
for the night in the gates, the following morning escaping to London. She 
obtained leave to go abroad, but while preparing to start, her coach horses 
were taken from her. Early in 1650 owing to the persecutions of the 
Fairfax party, she was arrested for debt and notwithstanding the claim 
of privilege as a Peeress was committed tc prison. Most of the Countess's 
property in Essex was sequestrated and sold and she was obliged to com- 
pound for her estates by paying a fine of 16,979. gs. lod. 

Amongst the State Papers are petitions to compound for two-thirds of a 

1 HowelTs Letters, loth Ed. 1737, p. 86. 



138 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

messuage and park in Melford by Elizabeth Countess Dowager of Rivers in 
1648.' She died shortly afterwards in fact, on the gth of March the same 
year she was sent to prison, and was succeeded by her son John 2nd Viscount 
Savage and Earl Rivers. He married 1st Catherine daughter of William 
Parker, Lord Morley of Monteagle by whom he had issue with other children, 
a son Thomas. His 2nd wife was Mary daughter of Thomas Ogle of South 
Dissington in Northumberland. John 2nd Lord Rivers was as unfortunate 
as the old Countess his mother, and shortly before his death became a 
prisoner in the Bench Prison in Southwark. He died however at Frodsham 
Castle on the loth Oct. 1654 and on the night after his death his house was 
destroyed by fire. Leaving no will, the administration of his personal 
estate was granted to John Watts his principal creditor. Melford Manor 
however passed to his widow. Thomas, the eldest son and 3rd Earl was, 
in right of his mother, co-heir of the Baronies of Morley, Monteagle and 
Marshal. The Melford estates having been in mortgage for some time to 
Sir John Cordell, knt., in fact, from the time of the ist Earl Rivers, were 
sold to Sir Robert Cordell. It appears that the Rivers owed him 20,488. 12S. 
and for this sum and an additional amount of 8,511. 8s. paid by Sir Robert 
to them, they conveyed to him the estate with all appurtenant rights, 
and the advowson of Melford Church and the right of nomination of the 
warden and brethren of the Hospital of the Holy Trinity. In addition to 
the purchase money there was an annuity of 100 a year charged on the 
estate to a Mary Savage which continued to be paid to 1690. Thus the 
Melford Hall Manor again became the estate of the Cordells. Sir Robert 
Cordell was created a Baronet in 1660, but the title and the name became 
extinct on the death of his grandson Sir John Cordell who was killed by a 
fall from his horse in 1704. 

Sir Robert Cordell's will is dated the 18 Dec. 1679 an( ^ he left to his 
heir John " all the deere in Melford- Parke, and the great Saphire Jewell " 
and half of his household stuff, plate excepted. To his grandson John, son 
of the above John, his great silver basin and ewer, and to his wife Dame 
Margaret half of his household stuff . His son Sir John Cordell inherited the 
Melford Hall estate, and his will is dated the 26 Aug. 1690 by which he 
appointed his wife Dame Elizabeth his executrix and divisesto his son John 
his estates, but provides that his widow shall reside at Melford Hall until their 
son was of age or married. Dame Elizabeth Cordell died in 1709. Sir John 
was killed by a fall as already stated in 1704, at the early age of 27. He had 
married Eleanora daughter of Joseph Haskin Stiles merchant of London 
but died without issue leaving his two sisters Elizabeth and Margaret his 
co-heirs. Elizabeth married Thomas King, of Great Thurlow, who was 
killed in a duel in 1698 and his widow died in 1706, leaving an only son 
who died unmarried, when Margaret became sole heir to her brother's 
estate. She married Charles Firebrace eldest son of Sir Basil Firebrace Knt. 
and Bart, whose only sister Hester married Basil Fielding, 4th Earl of 
Denbigh. Charles Firebrace inherited in his wife's right. There is an 
action, particulars of which are in the Exchequer Depositions, in 1722, 1723, 
1724 at Melford respecting the Rectory and Parish of Melford lease of 
tithes granted by Dr. Matthew Bisby to Sir Robert Cordell, Bart, and John 
Cordell his son Melford Park, woods called " Firmage " and " Spelthorn " 
&c. James Johnson, Charles Firebrace and others. A letter, too, by this 
Sir Charles Firebrace to Tanner as to a caveat against Mr. Johnson, Rector 
of Melford, annexing a pew to his house in 172! will be found amongst the 

' State Papers, Cal. of Comp. 1648, p. 1857. 



MELFORD (LONG). 139 

Tanner MSS. in the Bodleian.' Sir Charles Firebrace died in 1727 and was 
succeeded by his only son, Sir Cordell, who was elected a Knight of the Shire 
for Suffolk in 1737 and remained a member of the House until his death in 
1759. Sir Cordell Firebrace married Bridget relict of Edward Ewer of 
Ipswich and 3rd daughter of Philip Bacon 2nd son of Sir Nicholas Bacon 
Bart, of Shrubland Hall, but dying the 28 Nov. 1759 without issue the 
manor passed under his will to his widow who re-married the Hon. Wm. 
Campbell of Lyston Hall co. Essex uncle to the Duke of Argyle and died 
the 10 July 1782 at the age of 80. In 1785 Melford Hall and the estate 
were sold under the will of Lady Firebrace to Sir Harry Parker, Bart, eldest 
son of Admiral Hyde Parker a member of an old Devonshire and royalist 
family. It is a singular coincidence that as early as 1336 a William le Parker 
should have been connected with Long Melford. He is described as of this 
place in the Patent Rolls of Edw. III.* 

Sir Harry Parker married Bridget daughter of William Cresswell of 
Cresswell co. Northumberland and dying the 15 Jan. 1812 was succeeded 
by his elder son Sir William Parker, at whose death the 21 April 1830 un- 
married, the manor passed to his brother Sir Hyde Parker, M.P. for West 
Suffolk, who died the 21 March 1856 and was succeeded by his cousin Sir 
William Parker gth Bart., who married Sophia Mary 2nd daughter of 
Nathanial Clarke Barnardiston of The Ryes, Sudbury, and dying in 1891, 
the manor passed to his son, the Rev. Sir William Hyde Parker loth Bart, 
who is the present lord. 

Extracts from the Court Rolls in 1670 will be found in the Brit. 
Museum. 3 

Of the old manor house little is known, but from a lease made by the 
last Abbot of Bury it is clear that a part of the house was brick ; some portion 
was a timber-framed erection with the usual clay wattle between, for the 
repair of which the tenant was bound to find all manner of clay and straw 
made and laid ready. Sir William Parker says : " The mansion was moated 
round on the west, north and east ; on this latter side, as on the others, 
the moat rah straight ; the present semicircular dry moat being a much 
later alteration. In the front of the house beyond the sundial there stood 
a gate house, the foundations and paving of which still exist undisturbed 
a short distance under the surface. The present park was then divided into 
many field inclosures, as those called Long Pasture, Horse Pasture, Nether 
Home Fields, &c., the site of the fences of which can be yet traced by any 
one who knows the history of their old positions." 4 

Sir Wm. Cordell erected the present mansion, which however has 
received many alterations. Sir Wm. Parker in 1873 gives an interesting 
description of its then condition. 

Arms of Cordell : Gules, a chevron, ermine, betw. three griffins' heads 
erased, arg. of Firebrace : Azure, on a bend or, three crescents, sable, 
betw. two roses, argent, seeded or, barbed vert. of Parker : Sa. a buck's 
head caboshed, betw. two flaunches, arg. 

MONKS MELFORD OR MELFORD MONACHORUM. 

This was given in Saxon times by Alfric son of Witgar, to the Abbot 
of St. Edmund who in 1199 granted it to the Hospital of St. Saviour without 

' Tanner xx. 73. 3 Add. Ch. 10552. 

* Pat. Rolls, 10 Edw. III. pt. ii. 2od. 4 History of Melford, p. 310. 



I 4 o THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

the Northgate of Bury. The charter of the Abbot was confirmed by King 
John and approved by a Bull of Pope Celestine III. with the concurrence 
of the Bishop of Norwich and the Archbishop of Canterbury. 

The endowment consisted of a warden, 12 chaplains, 6 clerks, 12 poor 
men and 12 poor women. The manor held by the Hospital, according to 
an entry in the Register of Abbot John of Norwold in 1286-7, consisted of 
136 acres of arable land, 7 acres of mowing meadow, 3 acres and a half of 
pasture, and 4 acres of wood. The hospital also had 72 acres of arable 
land, i acre of mowing meadow and 3 roods of wood which the villeins 
held with their messuages from the said manor, and also two cottars, who 
held this manor and a rood and a half of land with their houses. Some 
interesting leases of the manor will be found in Sir William Parker's Hist, 
of Long Melford. 1 

On the Dissolution this manor passed to the Crown and was in 1545 
granted to William Clopton.* The family is supposed to have taken their 
name from the parish of Clopton in the Hundred of Samford and to have 
given it to a manor in Wickhambrook before the Conquest. The hamlet 
Clopton of Wickhambrook occurs in Domesday Survey. The Cloptons 
had large possessions in Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridge, and allied them- 
selves with several distinguished families. Sir Symonds D'Ewes, whose 
pedigree of the family is amongst the Harl. MSS. in the Brit. Mus., and 
who was particularly interested in the family, having married one of the 
members, has in a quaint way referred to the alliances : " The unworthiest 
match that ever any Clopton had was the alliance of Sir Wm. Clopton of 
Kentwell with Johan daughter of Sir William Marrow knt. an alderman 
of the City of London in the time of Hen. VII., and the noblest match 
was that of John Clopton, son and heir of the said Sir William Clopton, 
with Elizabeth daughter of John Roydon Esq. and Margaret, his wife 
daughter of Thomas Knyvet Esq., of Great Stanway, Essex, and the 
co-heir of many great and ancient families." 

The manor granted to William Clopton was to be held of the Crown 
in chief by the fortieth part of a knight's service and an annual payment 
of 325. 4%d. at Michaelmas. The contents of the manor are thus given : 
A pightle called Le Barneyard containing by estimation i acre. A close of 
arable land next to the Barneyard with the site of the manor house, 6 
acres. A building called Le Tiled Barne. Four inclosures of meadow 
and pasture called Bargate Field, Crow Medow, Middlefield, and Prestly- 
field containing together 58 acres. A parcel of land and marsh called Le 
Cangle containing acre. A pasture on Kentwell Down near the park 
containing 4^ acres and 27 perches. Five parcels of land and pasture 
between the mansion house and the cross called Clopton's Cross. Two 
groves of wood between the mansion house and the road leading to Bury. 
Also all tithes of hay, grass and grain and all other tithes of the above 
lands ; and also all other tithes of land from the tenement called Bochers 
on the east side of the said road to the end of Melford Park. A further 
account says : " To this manor belongs a Court from 3 weeks to 3 weeks, 
and many rents of Assize of free tenants and divers customary or copyhold 
tenants, whose fines are arbitrary ; but only one tenement lately [i.e., 
circa 1640] in tenure of William Miller deceased which is claimed to be 
certain upon every alienation and descent." 

1 Pp. 24-29. App. II p. 192 ; and the Grant 

1 Particulars for this Grant will be found itself, Originalia, 37 Hen. VIII. 7 

in the Record Office, D.K.R. 9. Pars Rot. 37. 



MELFORD (LONG). 141 

William Clopton, the purchaser of Monks Melford, married Margaret 
daughter of Sir Thomas Jermyn of Rushbrook, knt., by whom he had 
issue Thomas Clopton, John Clopton, Francis Clopton, William Clopton, 
Walter Clopton, Henry Clopton, Edmund Clopton and 6 daughters. A 
deed amongst the Harl. Charters dated the igth July 31 Hen. VIII. [1539] 
effected an arrangement between Sir Thomas Jermyn and John Clopton 
and Elizabeth his wife on the marriage of Margaret Jermyn with William 
Clopton. Four hundred marks were paid by Sir Thomas Jermyn, 200 to 
John Clopton and 200 to the executors of Sir William Clopton in satis- 
faction of a charge of Dame Thomasine Clopton. An additional 100 marks 
was also paid to satisfy the portions of 8 of the children of the said John 
Clopton and Elizabeth his wife. 1 

Acquittance for homage of this manor 1552 will be found amongst 
the Harleian Charters in the Brit. Mus., 2 and also for the year 1635. 3 
William Clopton died the 17 Aug. 1562, and was succeeded by his eldest 
surviving son and heir Francis Clopton. In 1564 the 2 Jan. 6 Eliz., he 
made a conveyance of the manor to Sir Ambrose Jermyn and Ralph Cootes 
clerk, in trust for certain purposes, 4 and married Anne d. of Robert Crane. 
He died in 1578 without issue, when the manor passed to his brother 
William Clopton. He married Anne d. of Edward Elms of Linford co. 
Norf., and died in 1588 without issue, being succeeded by his half-brother 
Thomas Clopton second but eldest surviving son of his father's second 
marriage to Mary daughter of George Perient. He married Mary daughter 
of Sir William Waldegrave of Smallbridge ancestor of the present Lord 
Waldegrave. Amongst the Chancery Proceedings in the time of Q. Elizabeth 
will be found an action by Anne Clopton widow against Thomas Clopton 
and others respecting the Manors of Kentwell and lands in Melford, Manor 
of Melford Monachorum or Monks Melford and tithes in Melford. 5 

Thomas Clopton by his will in 1598 left to his wife Mary Waldegrave 
" the use and occupacion of all his waineskott and glasse in and about his 
mancion to be and remaine as they then were, and by noe meanes to be 
removed or altered ; and also the occupyinge of the hanginges of tapestry 
whiche serve for his grete chamber of his saide house for forty yeres, yff 
the saide Mary shall so longe live." He then entailed the same. He lies 
buried in the Kentwell chapel, near the door of which is a brass plate 
with the following inscription : 

Depositum Thomae Clopton Armiger, sub hoc marmore tumulati 

Filii et Haeredis (quatuor 

grandioribus natu Fratribus, Thoma, Francisco, 

Willielmo, et Georgio sine Prole extmctis), 

Willielmi Clopton Armigeri et Marias Filiae 

Georgii Perient, generosi, secundas suas con- 

jugis iste Thomas, ex Maria uxore suo Filia 

tercia Willielmis Waldegrave Militis, et 
Elizabethae Mildmay Consortis suae duobus 
susceptis Filiis, Willielmo Clopton milite 
et Waltero Clopton Armigero ; et filiabus 
totidem Elizabeth! et Maria nuncupatis 
placide in Domino obdormivit die xi. Febr. A. Dnii 
MCXCVII. A. xl. Regin. Eliz. superstite relicta 

eadem Maria, quae duobus Viri clarissimi 
morte non exactis annis die xix. Decembr. A". Dni. 
MCXCIX". A. xlii. Reginae, ejusdem, ultimum Naturae 
debitum persolvit ; et sepelitur in Ecclesia 
Sancti Martini Westmonasteriensis. 

' Harl. 55 H. 46. 4 Draft in Harl. MSS. Brit. Mus. 995 

Harl. 48 D. 38-39. 5 C.P. i. 188; 

3 Harl. 49 E. 40. 



i 4 2 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

At the time of Thomas's death his son William Clopton was an infant, 
and amongst the Harleian MSS. in the Brit. Mus. is a memorandum of Sir 
William Waldegrave the elder his guardian as to his entrance on Melford Green, 
in dispute with Sir Thomas Savage as parcel of the Manor of Monks Melford. 1 
Sir William Clopton married first Anne daughter of Sir Thomas Barnardis- 
ton of Clare Priory, knt., "a gentlewoman of exact beauty and comliness and 
of exemplary piety," who died at the early age of 20; and 2ndly, Elizabeth 
daughter of Sir Giles Alington of Horseheath, and widow of Sir Henry 
Pallavicini of Babraham in the County of Cambridge. He was knighted 
by King James at Newmarket in 1613 and died n March 1618, at the age 
of 27. He had two sons by his 2nd wife, Edward and William, but they 
died infants in 1618 and 1619.* By his first wife he had an only daughter 
Anne, who became at the early age of thirteen the wife of the celebrated 
antiquary Sir Symonds D'Ewes, Bart. Very interesting particulars respect- 
ing their courtship will be found in the Autobiography of Sir Symonds 
D'Ewes. On Sir William Clopton's death the manor passed to his widow 
Elizabeth who remarried Sir John Tracy. Amongst the Harleian MSS. 
in the Brit. Mus. is a statement of accounts between this Sir John Tracy 
and his tenants of the farm of Monks Melford 3 and a grant by him and his 
wife Elizabeth with Sir Symonds D'Ewes to Sir Roger Martin, a copyholder 
of the manor, of authority to cut, fell, and stub up 30 Pollards or Boiling 
trees in i65O. 4 

Sir Symonds D'Ewes had several children by his marriage with Anne 
Clopton, but they all died in infancy, except Cecilia, or Sissellia. Their 
first son named Clopton " a goodly sweet child born " died soon after birth 
through " the cursed ignorance or neglect of such as were employed " 
about the lady during her lying in. Two other sons twin born, survived 
but a few hours after their premature birth which was occasioned " by some 
hurt to Lady D'Ewes by travelling in her coach in Bury Street " during the 
festival ; and their fourth son also named Clopton died before it was 
two years old of the rickets, which were produced " by their pitching 
upon a proud, fretting ill-conditioned woman for a nurse " and aggravated 
by the unskilful treatment of " Dr. Despotine, an Italian physician at 
Bury." 5 Lady D'Ewes died of the small pox in 1641 and the distressing 
circumstances are fully detailed in her husband's Autobiography. 

The following year the sorrowing husband married the daughter of 
Sir Henry Willoughby and dying in 1650 was succeeded in his title and 
paternal estates by his son Sir Willoughby D'Ewes, but, as both Sir Wm. 
Parker and Mr. Tymms in their account of Kentwell Hall say, Kentwell 
Hall Manor descended to Lady D'Ewes' daughter Cecilia or Sissilia, and was 
carried by marriage to her husband Sir Thomas Darcy Bart, of St. Osyth, 
Essex, who came to reside at Kentwell Hall, and was created a baronet in 
1660, at which period he made considerable repairs in the interior of the 
Hall. Lady Darcy died the 29 May 1661, without issue, and was buried 
in the Kentwell chapel in Melford Church on the ist June following. 

As the Manor of Monks Melford was derived in the same way as Kent- 
well, there can be little doubt that it followed the same line of devolution 
as Kentwell, but the Davy MSS. certainly enter Sir Willoughby D'Ewes 
as lord on the death of his father Sir Symonds D'Ewes. The matter is 
free from doubt, and Davy's error is apparent from the particulars of sale 

Harl. 97. Harl. 98. 

I. P.M., i Car. I.. No. 71 (1625). ' Tymms, in the Suff. Int., vol. 2, p. 69. 
' Harl. 98. 



MELFORD (LONG). 



143 



in 1676-7, when Sir Thomas Darcy sold to Thomas Robinson. These 
particulars are headed " The Manors of Kentwell and Monks Melford with 
the lands thereunto belonging." The Particulars which are given by Sir 
William Parker are as follows : 



ACRES. 



IN THE LANDLORD'S OWN HANDS. 



VALUE OF RENTAL. 
s. d. 



150 Park, orchards, gardens and yards, about 150 

acres at 155. per acre 112 10 6 

50 Park lay and Maypole field, about 50 acres at 

13$. 40!. per acre 32 o o 

21 Crow meadow, part arable and tithe free, 21 

acres at 2os. per an 21 o o 

37 Upper Monks and small crofts, most tithe 

free, about 37 acres at 145. per acre . . . . 25 o 
2 The hop-ground, stocked and planted, near 2 

acres, at 3. 55. per acre 6 10 o 

The tithe of hay, corn, &c., of 800 acres of land 

belonging to Monks Manor 3100 

Free and copyhold rents of both manors . . . . 14 o o 



260 

ACRES. 

210 

260 

80 

65 
55 

12 

682 
41 

IO 
25 
76 



242 o o 



LET TO TENANTS. 



VALUED RENTAL. 
S. d. 

Zeph. Lungley, for Monks Manor, mostly tithe- 
free, about 210 acres at los. an acre . . . . 100 o o 

Robert Golding, for the Kell farm, about 260 

acres at 6s. per acre 82 o o 

Ditto for another tenement, and lands, 80 

acres at 6s. per acre 25 o o 

John Park, about 65 acres at 6s. per acre . . . . 20 o o 

Wm. Smith, of Stanstead, about 55 acres at ^6s. 

per acre 1600 

Edward Smith, of Stanstead, about 12 acres at 

75. 6d. per acre 4 10 o 



Robert Golding, for underwood, of about 41 
acres at 6s. 8d. per acre- 

Ditto, for underwood, 10 acres, tithe free, at 
8s. 6d. per acre 

Edward Johnson, for underwood, 25 acres at 
7$. 6d. per acre 

Widow Muggins, for a tenement and yard 



13 13 4 

492 



9 7 

I 10 



6 
o 



1,018 total A. 



Total 518 10 o 



Kentwell Hall was described as a " very faire brick house with 12 
wainscot rooms, the park stored with above 150 deere, a double dovehouse, 
fish ponds, and other conveniencys, besides timber on the grounds and 
woods considerable." The purchaser Thomas Robinson was Prothonotary 
of the Court of Common Pleas, and was subsequently knighted and created 
a Baronet by Chas. II. in 1681-2. Two years later the unfortunate Baronet 
lost his life by leaping out of his chamber window in the Temple to avoid 
the fury of a fire which had broken out near his chambers. He was succeeded 
by his son Sir Lumley Robinson who died in 1684, and the manor passed 
to his son Sir Thomas Robinson 3rd Bart., who married Elizabeth daughter 
of Sir Thomas Hare of Stow Bardolph, and sold the manor to John Moore. 
He by his will bequeathed to the minister and churchwardens of Melford 
for the time being the sum of 100 in trust to purchase lands and tenements 



144 THE MANORS OF .SUFFOLK. 

and distribute the rents thereof annually among 20 poor old men or widows 
above the age of 60 years, who do not take alms of the parish and who 
frequent the Church of England. John Moore died in 1714 and the manor 
passed to his nephew John Moore who died in 1753, when it passed 
to his son Richard Moore who died in 1782, when the manor passed to his 
son Richard Moore, who was High Sheriff of the County in 1812, and 
in 1823 sold the manor to Robert Hart Logan, merchant, of London. He 
married Nancy daughter and co-heir of Robert Sarvice, and in 1828 served 
the office of High Sheriff of the County. In 1835 ne unsuccessfully, but in 
1837 successfully contested the Western Division of Suffolk. He died 
suddenly on the 13 April 1838, and in the same year the manor was purchased 
by the trustees of Captain Edward Starkie Bence, second son of Col. Bence, 
then a minor. The manor is now vested in Edward Starkie Bence. 

Amongst the Harleian Charters in the Brit. Mus. is said to be a bond 
on purchase of this manor in 1540.' Pardons on alienation of the manor 
will be found in the same collection, 1589 and 1634,' and a grant of an 
annuity in 1599 from the manor is also in the same collection. 3 

Of Monks Manor house Sir Wm. Parker says, " On Monks Manor there 
formerly stood a manor house, concerning which no descriptive records 
remain, except that it continued to be named in the abuttals of the priests' 
house or college as Monks Manor house, with barn, buildings and yards. 
Its site was therefore somewhere near the north-east end of the church, 
probably where part of the broken ground in Kentwell Park, near the 
churchyard, indicates the position of former buildings ; and a house which 
presumably was this manor house is shown as standing on that spot near 
the college or priests' house in the Melford Manor maps of 1613 and 1615, 
and also on an old map of 1677. The date of its erection and of its destruc- 
tion are equally uncertain, though perhaps from some context it may be 
surmised that it was pulled down towards the close of the I7th century. 
It is mentioned in one document as still standing in 1674." 

Arms of Robinson : Vert, on a chevron, betw. three bucks trippant,or, 
three cinquefoils, gules. 

LUTON'S MANOR. 

This was held of the Abbot of St. Edmunds in free socage for 16 pence 
a year in lieu of all services, and after the dissolution of the Abbey it is 
described as held on the same terms " from the Crown and from the Hundred 
of Babergh which hundred was formerly parcel of the ancient possessions of 
the Abbot of St. Edmunds." It passed in 1354 from Sir John de Luton 
to John Littel and Marole his wife. A grant from William fil. Radulfi 
de Elmeswelle, John de Luton and Margery his wife of lands in Melford 
in the time of Edw. II.-Edw. III. will be found amongst the Stowe 
Charters in the British Museum. 4 In 1380 it was vested in Sir Thomas 
Clopton. He married Katherine de Mylde the heiress of Wm. de Mylde 
and died in 1383, when the manor passed to his widow who remarried 
Sir William Tendringknt. Alice the issue of this last marriage married Sir 
John Howard, who was the father of Sir Robert Howard the father of John 
Howard ist Duke of Norfolk. Lady Tendring, the Mylde heiress, made her 
will the 24 Feb. 1403, and left to the High Altar of Melford a marc. To 
Thomas, her husband's chaplain, half a marc. To Margaret her maid a marc. 

1 Harl. 48 D. 31. ' Harl. 51 H. 32. 

' Harl. 51 H. 29, 53 H; 9. Stowe Ch. 246. 



MELFORD (LONG). 145 

To her two gentlemen chamberlains each 40 pence. To John her husband's 
cook 40 pence. To Thomas the baker 40 pence. To her daughter Alice 
who became a great heiress and the ancestress of the Howards she left all 
her headgear, except two fillets of pearls of lesser value, and all her kever- 
chefs, also a furred cloak and other furs, a long chest and her 
napery, &c. To Sir William Clopton her son 1 by her first marriage 
she left a piece of silver or covered cup with six silver shells ; a bed of white 
worsted stained with figures of men and women, and another bed and 
mattress ; a Paris napkin with a long towell of the same workmanship ; 
a green vestment for a chaplain ; a missal ; and a book called a Byble ; 
a piece of silver called a stondynggepec with a cover with the head of a 
leopard ; and a chest called the great cofre. Finally she left to every 
beggar coming to her funeral two pence. 

On Katherine Tendring's death the manor passed to her son William 
Clapton who made considerable purchases of property from his cousin 
Sir Wm. Clopton of Wickhambrook. He married twice, first Margery 
daughter of Sir Roger Drury by whom he had issue Wm. Clopton who 
died young, and other children ; and 2ndly Margery daughter and heir of 
Elias Franceys, from which latter marriage descend the three families 
of Clopton settled at Kentwell Hall, at Castelins in Groton and at Lyston 
in Essex. Amongst the Harleian Charters are the following deeds in 1406 
and 1407 : 

Sciant p'sentes quod ego Will'us Clopton filius et heres Thome Clopton 
militis dedi, &c. Will'mo Mylde de Clare et Rogero Reue de Melford omnia 
ilia terras que vocant' Luytones in villis de Melford, Schymplynes et 
Alpheton que michi descendebant jure hereditar' post mortem predict' 
Thome et Kat'ine uxoris sue Habend' &c. Hiis testibz Johne Rookwoode, 
Waltero Glemesford, Johne Hoo et aliis. Dat' apud Melford p'dictam 
vicesimo tercio die mensis marcij anno R. R. Henrici quarti post con- 
questum octavo. 2 

Sciant quod nos Willm's Mylde de Clare et Rogerus Reue de Melford 
dimisimus Willielmo Clopton filio Thome Clopton milit' et Margerie uxore 
ejusdem Willi Clopton omnia ilia terras que vocant' Luytones in villis de 
Melforde, Schymplyng et Alpheton que "habuimus ex dono p'fat' Willielmi 
Clopton and que fuer'nt Thome Clopton patris p'dicti Willielmi, Habend' 
&c. Hiis testibz Roger Drury milit', Johe Rookwode, Roberto Cook, 
Waltero Glemysforde, Johe Hoo et aliis. Dat' apud Melforde p'dict : die 
Mercurij prox' post' festum .... Anno R. R. Henrici quarti post 
conquestum octavo. 3 

William Clopton died in 1446 and his effigy is in the recessed tomb 
in the north aisle of the choir of the church. He resided at Lutons for it is 
mentioned as his dwelling-house in his will. The manor then passed to his 
son and heir John by his second marriage. He was a hot Lancasterian and 
with difficulty saved his head. Together with the Earl of Oxford, his son 
Aubrey, William Tyrell and Sir Thomas Tuddenham he found himself in the 
Tower on the charge of corresponding with Margaret of Anjou. All the 
prisoners above mentioned were beheaded on Tower Hill Feb. 22nd 1461 
except Clopton, who managed to escape. He had served the office of High 
Sheriff of Suffolk and Norfolk in 1451-2 and having married Alice sister of 
Sir Robert Darcy of Maldon, Essex, died in 1497. His will is dated 

1 Her elder son Thomas Clopton had died " Harl. 48 D. 12. 
shortly after his father and in his 3 Harl. 54 A. 22. 
mother's lifetime. 



146 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

the 4 Nov. 1494, and is curious as it illustrates the customs of the age. He 
particularises the mortuary fees to be paid in kind at his burial, and indicates 
what the custom of Melford was. The frequent scandals which arose 
respecting these mortuary fees occasioned the passing of the Act of 21 
Hen. VIII., regulating and controlling not only these fees, but also the 
probate duties of the Ecclesiastical Courts. Sir Wm. Parker, in his History 
of Long Melford, mentions that there are instances where in furtherance 
of the claim of the clergy to the best suit of clothes which had belonged 
to the deceased, the officiating priest at the grave side tore off the doublet 
of a mourner declaring it had belonged to the dead man. John Clopton says 
in his will, "Also I wull that the parson have my best hors at hys eleccion 
for hys mortuary, according to the lawdabill custome of the towne." 
His will is mostly filled with bequests for masses for his soul and the souls 
of others, and has a gift of his Bible in English to his friend William Pyken- 
ham Rector of Hadleigh who was Archdeacon of Suffolk in 1471. On 
Wm. Clopton's death the manor passed to his eldest son Sir William 
Clopton. Sir Wm. Clopton married three times, 1st Johan dau. of Sir 
William Marrow knt. an alderman of the City of London, and had issue John 
Clopton, William Clopton and other children ; andly, Elizabeth one of the 
daughters of Thomas Say and one of the sisters and co-heirs of William 
Say of Lyston Hall, co. Essex, by whom he had issue William Clopton 
father of W'illiam Clopton, father of Thomas Clopton of Lyston Hall ; 
and thirdly, Thomasine daughter of Thomas Knyvet of Great Stanway 
co. Essex by whom he had issue Francis Clopton, Richard Clopton (the 
father of William Clopton of Castelins Manor in Groton) and other children. 

William Clopton made his will the I4th October 1530 by which he be- 
queathed to his eldest son John " all the hanginges within the haule, parlure, 
and greate chamber, with the beddinge, quysschyns-, tables, formes and stoles 
within them ; and the stuff e of my chapell, as auter clothes, boke, chalesce 
and vestmentes being and servyng on or for the workyndayes within the 
saide chappell." He also leaves certain costly vestments to the use of 
Melford Church, but some to be " at the commandement of hym that God 
schall provide to be my heyre male and dwell at my place at Lewtons and 
such tyme as schall fortune to be any marige at my saide place, and imme- 
diately after to be delyvered unto the chirchwardens ayen." He has a 
peculiar bequest as to a cross of gold which apparently had some remark- 
able properties. After the death of his 3rd wife Thomasine dau. of Thomas 
Knyvet who survived him, he leaves his cross of gold " which I where 
dayly abowtte my necke " to his son John and his heirs male as an heirloom 
with this proviso : " upon the condicion that they and every of them 
dow lenne the same crosse unto women of honeste, being with child, 
the tyme of ther laboure ; and immediatly to be surely delivered up 
ayen. ' He devises to his wife for her life his Manor and Place of 
" Lewtons," where he dwells and entails it afterwards. He died in 153?, 
in his 8oth year and was buried in Melford Church, as he directs, near his 
first two wives. The stone slab for him which has lost the brass and has 
only one shield left for his first wife Joane Marrow has been removed 
from its original place in the Chancel floor in front of John Clopton's 
tomb into the north aisle. 1 

John Clopton Sir William's son succeeded on the death of the latter's 
widow Thomasine Knyvet. He married Elizabeth one of the daughters 

1 Parker's Hist, of Melford, p. 178. 



MELFORD (LONG). 147 

of John Roy don and of Margaret his wife the younger daughter of Thomas 
Knyvet. SirSymondsD'Ewes was exceedingly proud of this match which 
he considers the " noblest match that he ever yet found any Clopton 
enjoyed." He says : " Whether she was heir to John Roydon, her father, 
I cannot yet undoubtedly discover. Most certain it is, the coat armour 
of Roydon, being chequy argent and gules, over all a cross azure, stands 
yet in a glass at Lutons Hall in the parish of Melford, being the Clopton's 
chief seat commonly called Kentwell, both in the east window of the great 
parlour, and in the south window of the hall, very anciently set up and 
enquartered with Clopton and other coat-armours." 

In 1539 we meet with three deeds preserved amongst the Harleian 
Charters dealing with the manor. They are as follows : 

Carta qua Johannes Clopton de Melford in com. Suff. arm. et Willel- 
mus filius ejus concedunt Henrico Francklyng manerii de Lutons, Wod- 
house, Wodfowle et Blak in com. Suff. Dat. the 29 July 31 Hen. VIII. 
This deed is signed by John William Clopton. The second is an Indenture 
of Henry Francklyng agreeing to pay to Elizabeth widow and executrix 
of John Clopton of Melford Esquire lately deceased, an annuity of 30 out 
of the manors of Lutons, Wodhouse, Wodfoulde and Blake and from other 
lands in co. Suffolk until the Manor of Newenham Halle in Essex with other 
manors and land of the yearly value of 50 be assured to her. Dat. the 30 
July 31 Hen. VIII. [1529]. There is a deed by which the said Henry 
Francklyng grants to John Clopton this manor and the Manors of Wodhouse 
W'odfoulle and Blake. John made a will a few days before his death on the 
5 Oct. 1541, whereby he bequeathed to his wife Elizabeth (Roydon) " the 
hangynges, beddinge, testores, and all oder the appurtenances withyn the 
grett chamber, and as muche brede corne and ale corne as shall fynd hyr 
howse oone hole yere after my decesse." The will was proved the 5 Nov. 
1541, John Clopton, the testator, having died on the 2ist October. His 
widow Elizabeth remarried one Robert Withersby and she survived her 
son William, who had a grant of the Manor of Monks from the Crown in 
1545. Subsequent to this, the devolution of this manor is the same as Monks 
Melford Manor down to nearly the close of the i8th century when Richard 
Moore succeeded his father who died seised in 1782. Amongst the Harleian 
Charters will be found a covenant in 1591 by Thomas Clopton of Melford 
and Wm. Clopton of Groton with Sir Wm. Waldegrave of Smallbridge, 
Sir John Heigham of Barrow, William Waldegrave son and heir-apparent 
of the said Sir Wm. Waldegrave and Thomas Waldegrave second son of the 
said Sir William Waldegrave in consideration of the marriage of the said 
Thomas Clopton with Mary one of the daughters of Sir William Waldegrave 
and to secure a competent jointure, to levy a fine of the Manors of Lutons, 
Kentwell, Woodhouse and Woodfoules in Melford. The deed is dated 
the 2oth Jan. 33 Eliz. and a fine was levied of the manor the same year by 
the trustees against Thomas Clopton. 1 The fine was duly levied between 
William Waldegrave and Thomas Clopton in Trinity Term the same year. 

A fine of Melford Manor and Luton Manor in 1534 will be found 
amongst the Harleian Charters in the Brit. Mus.* 

WOOLHOUSE, WOODFOULE AND ALSO BLARES MANORS. 

Wodefoyle or Woodfowles, a reputed manor of Kentwell no doubt 
derives its name from an ancient family of Melford, for we find that as 

' Fine, Hil. 33 Eliz. * Harl. 45 G. 7. 



148 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

early as 1280 a Matilda Wodefoyle held land parcel of the Manor of Kent- 
well as tenant of Sir William de Valence. This manor was held of the 
Earl of Sussex and of his Manor of Shimpling for 2 shillings a year. Sir 
William Parker mentions that as to a part of this manor there exists a notice 
that in the I3th of Edw. IV., 1476, one Walter Jermayn held Woodhouse 
for 135. ^d. a year, and he requested to be allowed the sum of IDS. $d. for a 
thousand of wood which in that year had been made in the grove called 
Woodhouse, and which had been wrongfully included in his hire. The 
parson of Stanstead on this occasion took a hundred of wood for his 
tithe. 1 It seems that John Clopton son and heir of William Clopton died 
seised of these manors in 1497, when they passed to William Clopton his 
son and heir. Amongst the Harleian Charters are three deeds relating to 
this manor in the year 1539. The ist is dated the 29 July 31 Hen. VIII., 
and is a grant by John Clopton of Melford and William Clopton his son 
and heir to Henry Francklyng. The second is a deed dated the 30 July 31 
Hen. VIII. whereby the said Henry Francklyng agreed to pay to Elizabeth 
Clopton widow and executrix of John Clopton of Melford an annuity of 
XXX pounds out of these manors " Wodhouse, Wodsone and Blake " 
and out of lands &c. which the said Henry Francklyng had in towns and 
parishes of Melford, Stansted and Shimpling. 2 The third is dated the ist 
Aug. 31 Hen. VIII., and is a grant by the said Henry Francklyng to John 
Clopton. 3 

On John Clopton's death in 1578 the manors passed to his brother 
and heir William Clopton and on his death in 1588 to his brother and heir 
Thomas Clopton and on his death in 1597 to his son and heir Sir William 
Clopton who died in 1618 when they passed to Sir William Clopton son of 
Sir William, at whose death in 1625 the manors passed to his uncle Walter 
Clopton. 

Amongst the Harleian Charters will be found a covenant for 
levying a fine in 1591 of the two former manors and of Lutons and Kent- 
well. 4 The covenant is dated the 20 May 33 Eliz. 

Blakes seems to have been little more than a messuage, as it was 
held of the Abbot of St. Edmunds at 6 pence a year. 

CRANEVYLES al. CRAINAVILES MANOR. 

Very little is known of this manor It is apparently the subject of a 
fine levied in 1390 by Richard Mucheldenere and Margaret de Ekerton 
against Alice de Bryene 3 ; and Thomas Spring of Lavenham died seised of 
it in 1523, when it passed to his son and heir Sir John Spring who died in 
1547, when it passed to Sir William Spring of Pakenham, after which we 
lose sight of the manor entirely. It is possibly the land mentioned in the 
extent of the Manor of Melford taken in 1442 thus: " John Mannock held 
130 acres of land at Cranfield and 2 water mills under one roof on the bank 
of the river dividing Suffolk from Essex which said land formerly belonged 
to John de Cranvile and previously to Sir Guy Bryan knight " referred 
to this. Still it was not then mentioned as being held as a separate 
manor. 

KENTWELL. 

This manor was held in the Confessor's time by Algar under Seward 
of Maldon with 2 carucates of land and soc. There were 7 villeins, I bordar, 

' P. 171 note. ' Harl. 57 H. 19. 

Harl. 50 E. 12. Feet of Fines, 14 Rich. II. 35. 

' Harl. 50 E 13. 




J 



J 
J 



- 



MELFORD (LONG). 



149 



4 ploughteams, 2 in demesne and 2 belonging to the men, 8 acres of meadow, 
i horse at the Hall, 5 beasts, 30 hogs and 80 sheep. These were valued 
at 40 shillings. The increase in value was rather marked by the time of the 
Great Survey, for it was then placed at 4 pounds which the altered details 
hardly seemed to justify. The villeins had decreased by 3, but the bordars 
had increased by 2. It is true there were 8 beasts, 40 hogs against 5 and 
30, but on the other hand there was one ploughteam less belonging to the 
men and 30 fewer sheep. 

The Domesday tenant in chief was Frodo, the Abbot of St. Edmunds' 
brother. 1 

Frodo left two sons Alan and Gilbert. Of their family there is not much 
on record, but about the period of from 1145 to 1148 a person named Galeus 
held this manor ; for in a Bull of Pope Eugenius IIL, endowing the Abbey 
of Bury with certain tithes, it was decreed that the Manor of Melford 
should pay a sum of 20 shillings a year and the land of Galeus in Melford 
was to pay 10 shillings a year ; and as at that time there was no other 
property in Melford which could have been assessed in such proportion 
to the Melford Manor, except the then existing manor of Kentwell, it 
may be taken that Galeus was the owner of this lordship. 

KENTWELL HALL MANOR. 

The de Kentwells were probably descendants of Frodo the brother of 
the Abbot and were lords until the middle of the I3th century. In 1224 the 
manor was held by Gilbert de Kentwell, and on the Close Rolls we find in 1225 
an order restraining Isaac of Norwich the Jew from removing goods and 
chattels on the land of this Gilbert de Kentwell. 2 Further in 1245 William 
de Kentwell died seised of 9 curucates of land in Melford. 3 The same year 
we find on the Originalia Rolls an order to the sheriff to receive seisin from 
William son of Hugh and Amabil his wife of land in Kentwell, which the 
King bought (and freeing Richard Wastehus from the custody of same), with 
a certain vestment and ornaments in the chapel there. 4 In 1251 the manor 
was in the King's hands and was granted by Hen. III. to Sir William de 
Valence son of Hugh de Brun Earl of March by Isabel his wife widow of 
King John. 5 The grant which is dated the 8 Feb. 35 Hen. III. was made so 
that William de Valence should receive 17, for which sum the manor was 
extended. It was subject to an annual fee of 5o. 6 Below is an 
extract from the Court Rolls of the manor dated the Feast of the Purifica- 
tion of the Virgin Mary 3 Hen. V. [1416] regarding homage to be paid at 
the death of Hugh Bokenham who held certain lands in Thelnetham. 

The manor as included in this grant is recorded in the Abbot's Chartulary 
of Melford of 1287 as a manor comprising 360 acres of arable land, 4 acres of 
mowing meadow, 5 acres of pasture, 17 acres of wood, a windmill and a 
warren, besides 52 acres which his villeins held from him. Four persons are 
specially named as holding between them 50 acres of the lord's land, 
three of whom were allowed to sublet. The four tenants are thus described : 

" Stephen de Sidulvemere holds of the said Sir William XX acres of 
land for his undertenants at 20 pence a year. 

' John, son of Capell, holds of the said Sir William X acres of land for 
his undertenants at 10 pence a year. 



1 Dom. n. 355. 

' Close Rolls. 9 Hen. III. pt. ii. 3. 

3 I.P.M., 29 Hen. III. 44. 

4 O., 29 Hen. III. i. 



1 Grant, Harl. 58 H. 17 ; Chart. Rolls, 33 
Hen. III., Pars altera 12, 35 Hen. 
III. 12. 

6 Karl. 58 H. 17. 



150 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

" William Maupas holds for himself and his parceners a messuage and 
X acres of land for 10 pence a year. 

" Matilda Wodefoyle holds of the same Sir William X acres of land 
for 10 pence." 

Though in the Melford Chartulary the Abbot of Bury as lord paramount 
of Melford included De Valence in the rolls of lu's free tenants, exacting from 
him a small yearly rent in free socage in lieu of all services, the account 
goes on to state that this particular manor was held by Sir William in 
chief from the King. The manor was certainly held of the King in 
chief and of the Castle of Norwich by the fourth part of a knight's 
service, and later by a further payment of 65 shillings a year to the 
governor of the Castle* 

This William de Valence was a man of great account in the days of the 
3rd Henry to whom he was very nearly allied, being in fact his half-brother 
by his mother. He was made Constable of Goderich Castle and Pembroke 
Castle and Warden of the Town and Castle of Hertford in 1247. Dugdale 
gives an account of this lord: "The King," says he, "solemnizing the. 
festival of St. Edwards' translation in the Church of Westminster with great 
state, sitting on his royal throne, in a rich robe of Baudekyn, and the 
crown on his head, caused this William (with divers other young noblemen) 
to be brought before him and girt him with the sword of knighthood, and 
whilest he thus sate in his royal seat, casting his eye upon him who penned 
down all particulars of the great solemnity, he called him nearer, and 
commanded him to sit upon the middle step, betwixt his chair and the 
floor, and said to him : ' Hast thou taken notice of all these things, and 
perfectly committed them to memory ? ' He answered, ' Sir, I have so, 
deeming this famous ceremonial worthy to be recorded.' W r hereupon the 
King replied : ' I am fully satisfied that God Almighty, as a pledge of his 
farther favours and benefits, hath vouchsafed to work one glorious miracle 
this morning, for which I give him thanks. I therefore entreat thee, and 
intreating require, that thou record these things exactly and fully, and 
write them in a book, lest that the memory of them should in time be 
lost.' And having so said invited him with whom he had this discourse 
to dinner that day with three of his fellows ; commanding likewise, 
that all other monks, who then came thither, with the whole 
convent of Westminster, should at his charge be that day feasted in the 
publick refectory there." And again : " About that time, this William 
de Valence, residing at Hertford Castle, rode to the Parke at Haethfel, 
belonging to the Bishop of Ely, and there hunting without any leave, went 
to the bishop's manor house, and readily finding nothing to drink but 
ordinary beer, broke open the buttery doors, and swearing and cursing the 
drink, and those who made it ; after all his company had drunk their 
fills of the best wine in the cellars, pulled out the spigots out of the vessels, 
and let out the rest upon the floor ; and that a servant of the house 
hearing the noise, and coming to see what the matter was, they laughed 
him to scorn, and so departed." 

He was driven out of the kingdom with his brothers in 1258 by the 
Barons, but returned two years later with their consent and led one of the 
three bodies of the royal army at the Battle of Lewes in 1264 after which 
he fled to France, but returned the following year with John Earl of Warenne 
and Hugh Bigod, and the battle of Evesham re-establishing the power of 
the King, he benefited greatly from the royal favour and had large grants 



MELFORD (LONG). 



from the Crown. He took the Cross in 1268 and became a Crusader in 
1270, but returned in 1273. 

Amongst the Ancient Deeds in the Public Record Office is a Release 
by Alice late the wife of Thomas son of Nigel de Listen clerk to Sir William 
de Valence Earl of Pembroke of all right in the lands and tenements which 
he had by demise of the said Thomas in Melford, 1 and a grant by John de 
Lansele to Sir William of 2 acres in the Millfield in Melford ; 2 also a grant 
by Henry son of William de Elmeswelle to Thomas son of Nigel de Liston, 
clerk, of land called ' Varelond ' between Sir William de Valence's land 
and the road from Melford Church to Kentwell tigh called ' Haylokestye ' 
in Melford ; 3 and another grant by the same to Thomas son of Nigel de 
Liston clerk, Alice his wife and John and Simon their sons of land called 
' Varelond ' between land of Sir Wm. de Valencia and the road from 
Henry's house to the tigh of Kentwell called ' Haylokestye ' in Melford. 4 
There are other grants in Melford preserved of this Sir William. 5 The 
Hundred Rolls state that William de Valence held the manor in chief of 
the King for one knight's fee by gift of Hen. III. 6 and he claimed also to 
have free warren in the hamlet of Kentwell. 7 

William de Valence was made Guardian and Lieutenant of England 
in 1285, Joint Commissioner for Armament of the kingdom in 1292, and 
Chief Plenipotentiary to treat with France in 1296. This year he was 
slain in the wars in France, when his remains were conveyed to England 
and interred in Westminster Abbey under a splendid monument. On his 
tomb his arms are repeated as a pattern in diamond-shaped panels, ena- 
melled in gold and colours in copper. These are alternately Gules, three 
lions passant regardant, Or ; and barry Argent and Azure, an orle of mart- 
lets, Gules. These arms are again repeated on the cushion beneath the 
head of the recumbent figure. The shield he holds only shows the second 
coat of arms and on the azure bars is a delicate running pattern in gold, 
and on the argent bars a similar tracery pattern, rather broader ; and the 
outlines of the martlets are picked out in gold. 8 

William de Valence married Joane, daughter and eventually heir of 
Warine de Mounichenst by Joane his wife, second sister and coheir of 
Anselme Marshal Earl of Pembroke. 

Sir Wm. Parker in his History of Melford states that he married Joane 
daughter of William de Montchensy by his wife Dionysia (daughter and heir 
of Nicholas de Anesty). Gage in his History of Thingoe Hundred says that 
Dionysia was the only child of William de Mountchensi, that she married 
Hugh de Vere and died without issue when her fee descended to Aymer de 
Valence son and heir of Joane cousin of William Mountchensi, and that after 
the death of Aylmer it came to the Earl of Athol in right of his wife Joane 
Comyn sister of Aymer. Sir William de Vallence's first son John died 
young, his second, William, was killed by the Welsh in his father's lifetime, 
and the Earl was succeeded by his 3rd son Aymer de Valence 2nd Earl of 
Pembroke. 

On the Patent Rolls of 1298, a Commission will be found as to persons 
who broke the park of this Aymer at Kentwell, hunted and carried away 
deer from his park there. 9 



' A. 3469. 
" A. 3520. 

3 A. 3781. 

4 A. 3530. 

3 A. 3330, 3604, 3908, 3964. 



6 H.R. ii. 142, 150, 194. 

' H.R. ii. 143, 153, 195- 

8 Parker, Hist, of Melford, p. 169. 

' Pat. Rolls, 26 Edw. I. 22d. 



152 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Aymer de Valence sold the manor in 1306 to John de Eddeworth for 
life, and on the Patent Rolls will be found a pardon to him for acquiring 
for life from Aymer de Valencia the manor without licence, it being held 
in chief of the King. 1 On the Originalia Rolls is the licence the same 
year for John de Eddeworth to retain the manor of the King for life.* 

Aymer was in the wars of Scotland in the time of Edw. I. and being 
with the King at Burgh upon the Sands just before his death, was one of 
those to whom the King recommended his son, and enjoyned him not to 
suffer Piers de Gaveston again to enter the kingdom. He subsequently 
joined the coalition against the power of Gaveston, and assisted at the 
siege of Scarborough Castle, in which, upon its surrender, the favourite 
was made prisoner, and was soon after beheaded by order of the Earl of 
Warwick, at Blackton Hill near Warwick. Aymer was a joint Special 
Ambassador to France in 1302, 1307, and 1312, and Guardian and 
Lieutenant of Scotland in 1307 and 1314, Joint Ambassador to the Pope 
Clement V. in 1309 and to Pope John XXII. in 1316, Warden of the Hun- 
dreds of Claydon and Bosmere in 1319, and Guardian and Lieutenant of 
England in 1320. On one of his journeys to Rome he was made prisoner 
by John Moilley a Burgundian, and sent to the Emperor, when he had to 
give 20,000 pounds of silver for his ransom, by reason as Moilley alleged 
that " he himself having served the King of England had not been paid his 
wages." In 1321 he was one of the lords who sat in judgment upon Henry 
Plantagenet Earl of Lancaster, and condemned that person to death. 
" But this mercenary and time-serving act of infamy," it is said, was 
speedily atoned for by his son's death, which occurred two years after 
in France, where attacking Queen Isabel he was murdered the 23 June 1324. 3 
The untimely fate of the last and youthful Earl of Pembroke in 1389 was 
very generally by the superstition of the age attributed to a divine judgment 
upon the family for this sentence, and it was observed that subsequently 
to that judgment none of the Earls of Pembroke saw his father, nor any 
father of them took any delight in seeing his children. He married first 
Beatrice daughter of Ralph de Nele, Constable of France, 2ndly the daughter 
of the Earl of Barre, and 3rdly Mary daughter of Guy de Chastillion, Earl 
of St. Paul and a great-granddaughter maternally of Hen. III., but had no 
issue. He was buried in Westminster Abbey and his estates passed 
to his sisters as coheirs, and on partition Kentwell Manor was assigned to 
David de Strabolgi, Earl of Athol and Joane his wife, one of the daughters 
and coheirs of John Comyn feudal lord of Badenagh, and Joane his wife, 
one of the sisters and coheirs of Aymer. 4 On his death in 1327' the manor 
passed to his son David de Strabolgi, Earl of Athol, 2nd Baron, who at his 
father's decease was but 19 years of age, and Henry de Beaumont paid a 
thousand marks for his wardship and marriage. The young nobleman was 
held in such high esteem by the King that Edw. III. in the first year of 
of his reign immediately after the death of his father and notwithstand- 
ing his minority, allowed him to do homage, and have livery of his lands. 
He lost no time in getting rid of Kentwell Manor, for we find in 1332, he 
obtained licence to grant to Robert Gower for life, 6 and the following year 
executed a release to Robert, then Sir Robert Gower, of all his right in 
the manor. 7 David de Strabolgi however does not then appear to have 

1 Pat. Rolls, 34 Edw. I. 5. 4 Close Rolls, 19 Edw. II. 14, 7, 3. 

O., 34 Edw. I. Ri. 7; I.P.M., 34 Edw. Extent. I.P.M., I Edw. III. 85. 

I. 169. * Pat. Rolls, 6 Edw. III. pt. iii. I. 

> Extent: I.P.M., 17 Edw. II. 75. ' 7 Edw. III., Harl. MSS. 299. 



MELFORD (LONG). 



153 



parted with his whole interest in the manor, for we find on the Originalia 
Rolls of 1335 a demise only to Robert Gower for his life. 1 This year the 
Earl of Athol joined the Scots, and an entry on the Close Rolls throws a 
little light on the subject : After reciting a licence to David de Shalbogi to 
grant to Robert Gower " for the life of the King and his heirs," with 
reversion at Robert's death to the Earl and his heirs and seizure by the 
Sheriff for the King in consequence of the Earl having joined the Scots it 
was ordered that the manor be restored to Robert. 2 

This David 2nd Baron Strabolgi was of a shifty character, wavering 
between the sentiments of his father and grandfather, the latter of whom 
had sided with the Scots and been sentenced to death in Westminster Hall 
as a traitor, and in respect of his descent from royal blood had not been 
drawn as usual with traitors but set on horseback and hanged upon a 
gibbet 50 feet high, his head fixed on London Bridge and his body burnt 
to ashes ; and the former of whom had taken an active part on the English side 
in the wars with the Scots. David the 2nd Baron was at one time engaged 
against the English forces and at another with them in these constant 
conflicts, but eventually fell fighting under the English Sovereign. He 
married Katherine Beaumont and died in 1335. 3 

David the 2nd Baron was succeeded by his son David 3rd Baron 
Strabolgi and Earl of Athol, who at the death of his father was but 3 years 
old. In 1338 Sir Robert Gower obtained from the King a confirmation of 
the release by the 2nd Baron Strabolgi of the manor, the same being then 
in the King's hands, in consequence of the minority of the heir, 4 and in 1349 
on the death of Sir Robt. Gower, the King committed to Katherine 
Countess of Athol, the widow of the 2nd Baron Strabolgi, the custody of 
this manor to hold during the minority of his (Sir Robert's) heir, rendering 
20 marks per annum. 3 

On the death of Sir Robert Gower one moiety of the manor 
passed to Catherine, one of his daughters and coheirs, who died in I366, 6 
and the other moiety, and ultimately the whole, passed to Joan sister and 
heir of Catherine, wife of William Neve of Wyting, and he and his wife 
had a pardon granted in 1366 for having entered on the Kentwell Hall 
property on the death of Catherine Gower, without process from the King's 
Court, and they were restored after the seizure by the King on payment 
of ioos. 7 The order for seisin to be given to William Neve and Joan his 
wife of this moiety is on the Originalia Rolls, 8 and William Neve and his 
wife recovered seisin against David de Strabolgi Earl of Athol, of the 
manor except 12 acres and 4 rent in Kentwell the same year. 9 After 
the death of Neve, his wife married Thomas Styward of London, pewterer, 
and in 1368 he and his wife granted the manor to John Gower, the poet, 10 
who had obtained a licence to acquire the same." John Gower did not long 
retain, for in 1372 he conveyed the manor to Sir John Cobham and others, 
and the following year we find from the Originalia Rolls that they received 
a pardon for acquiring the maoor in fee without a licence from the King." 
In 1379 Sir John Cobham an*x>thers obtained a licence to grant the manor 



O., 9 Edw. III. 

' Close Rolls 9 Edw. III. 31. 

> I.P.M., ii Edw. III., 46. 

4 Pat. Rolls, 13 Edw. III. pt. i, 30. 

5 O., 23 Edw. III. 22. 

6 I.P.M., 40 Edw. III. 13. 



7 O., 40 Edw. III. 29. 

8 O., 40 Edw. III. 10. 

9 O., 40 Edw. III. 20. 

10 I. P.M., 42 Edw. III. (2nd nos.) 4. 

11 O., 42 Edw. III. 33. 
" O., 48 Edw. III. 31. 



154 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

to Katharine wife of Sir Thomas de Clopton, and others, the Patent Rolls in 
which the licence appears stating that it was held of the King by the service 
of rendering 655. yearly for castle guard of Norwich Castle. 1 A fine 
was levied of the manor this same year by John Gower against John 
Spennythorn and Joan his wife* which is somewhat peculiar. 

It is stated by Davy and others that William de Mylde had the manor, 
and Sir Wm. Parker, a most accurate historian, says it " passed to the 
family of Mylde," but it is extremely doubtful whether a Mylde ever was 
actually lord, though it is quite possible the manor was held by Sir John 
de Cobham and others in trust for William de Mylde, an idea which is rather 
confirmed by the fact of the grant being made by these parties to 
Katharine, wife of Sir Thomas de Clopton as she was the daughter of this 
William de Mylde. 5 

Sir Thomas Clopton knt. was the younger brother of Sir William Clopton 
of Wickhambrook, and the son of Walter de Cloptune who died in 1326 
and of Alice his wife younger daur. and coheir of Warin surnamed Fitz 
Hugh. This Walter de Cloptune was the son of William son of Walter 
son of William son of Walter son of William son of William Peche who li ved 
in the time of William the Conqueror. 

The will of Sir Thomas Clopton who died in 1383 is dated the 8th March 
1382, and was proved the 12 Oct. 1383. He was buried in Chipley Priory. 
At this time and for two centuries subsequently the manorial residence 
was not called Kentwell but " Lutons." In the wills and documents of 
successive Cloptons till the year 1563, constant mention is made of the 
Hall, a Place of Luton's, as the dwelling-house of the family, but in that 
year reference is made to the new mansion house of Kentwell Hall. 
Lutons Manor house probably stood in or about the wood now called the 
" Pond Plantation " of Kentwell. 

On Katherine Clopton's death the manor passed to her son William 
Clopton 4 who died in 1446. From this William to William Clopton who 
died in 1562, the devolution is identical with that of Luton Manor and from 
this last William Clopton to the present time identical with that of Monks 
Melford Manor, which has been already given. 

John Clopton was in 1537 called upon to show by what title he held 
Kentwell Manor. 5 And amongst the Chancery Proceedings of the time of 
Q. Elizabeth is a Bill to establish a lease and set aside a will by Anne 
Clopton, widow of William Clopton deceased, late of Kentwell, against 
Thomas Clopton and others as to the mansion house called " Kentwell or 
Lewton," and other land in Suffolk said to be the estates of plaintiff's said 
late husband. 6 Amongst the Tanner MSS. in the Bodleian is a letter of 
Sir John Tracy to Isaac Appleton in 165! as to his being willing to sell his 
wife's interest in the Living of Kentwell (?) ; 7 while amongst the Harleian 
MSS. in the Brit. Mus. of about the same date will be found covenants 
between Sir John Tracy and Dame Elizabeth his wife with Sir Symonds 
D'Ewes as to yielding up the Manor of Kentwell, this being jointure of the 

' Pat. Rolls, 3 Rich. II. pt. ii. 18. 5 Memoranda Rolls, 29 Hen. VIII., Pas. 

Feet of Fines, 3 Rich. II. 6. Rec. Rot. 35. 

> I.P.M., 47 Edw. III. 59. ' C.P. i. 182. 

4 See Manor of Hawstead in Thingoe ' Tanner Ixix. 124. 
Hundred. 



MELFORD (LONG). 155 

said Lady Tracy in consideration of an annuity of 460 per annum payable 
by Sir Symonds D'Ewes [Harl. 98]. 

Extracts from Clopton deeds will be found in the Bodleian. 1 The 
Manor of Cressy was held of Kentwell Manor. 2 It appears from the Patent 
Rolls of 1258 that Hugh de Cressy held a knight's fee in (Telnetham) parcel 
of Kentwell Manor. 3 Memoranda concerning lands in Thelnetham 
held of Kentwell Manor will be found amongst the Harleian Charters in 
the Brit. Mus. 4 and as to the homage due to Kentwell Manor for land in 
Thelnetham amongst the same Charters 5 and particulars as to the Manor 
of Thelnetham held by Buckenham as of Kentwell Manor amongst the 
MSS. of the same collection. 6 A petition in Chancery of John Clopton 
respecting Cressy Manor held by Richard Florens, clerk, as of Kentwell 
will be found amongst the Harleian MSS. 7 And in the same collection 
note is made of a grant of 3. 55. payable to the King out of Kentwell Manor 
for Castleward. 8 An extent of the manor in the time of Hen. III. will also 
be found amongst the Harleian MSS. 9 , and also in the 7 Hen. III. and other 
matters relating to the manor, 5 Edw. III., may be seen in the same 
collection. 10 An extent of lands owing suit to the manor in 1325, or rather 
a copy of the extent, is amongst the Harleian Charters in the Brit. Mus. 11 
The Court Rolls of the manor for 1313 are amongst the Rolls in the same 
collection," and extracts from Court Rolls of the manor 7 Edw. II. to 4 
Hen. VII. [1313 to 1489], amongst the Harleian Rolls' 3 and Harleian 
Charters 14 , and in 1539 amongst the former. 15 

Fines for homage in the manor for the years 1530 and 1634 are also 
amongst the last mentioned Charters, 16 and a Statement of Accompts con- 
cerning the manor in 1649 w ^ De found amongst the Cotton MSS. in the 
Brit. Mus. 17 

Kentwell Hall is about three quarters of a mile from the high road, 
and is approached by a fine avenue of limes for nearly the whole distance. 
It is said that the whole of these beautiful trees were at one time sold to an 
eminent pianoforte maker, and some of them, on either side nearest to the 
house were actually cut down, but he was ultimately induced to forego 
the purchase. 

The present mansion was no doubt erected in the time of Elizabeth, and 
is in the form of the letter E, a form adopted in the case of so many buildings 
erected in that reign and supposed to be a mark of respect to the sovereign. 
Mr. Tymms, in his article already referred to, thus describes the place and 
its surroundings : 

" A fine moat, over which there are two bridges, surrounds the house ; 
and what is more remarkable, a second moat appears to have enclosed the 
pleasure grounds. The modern alterations were made under the direction 
of Mr. Hopper, the architect. A window in the billiard room is filled 
with stained glass, representing in twenty-six coats the arms and alliances 
of the Cloptons, which were collected from different parts of the mansion 

1 4180. - Harl. 299. 

Harl. 97. " Harl. 58 H. 19. 

Pat. Rolls, 35 Hen. III. 6, 3. " Harl. Rolls. H. 7. 

4 Harl. 58 F. 52. 1J Harl. Rolls. O., 34. 

' Harl. 58 H. 17. " Harl. 58 H. 17. 

6 Harl. 380. " Harl. Roll H. 8. 

' Harl. 589. " Harl. 58 H. 3, 45, G. 7. 

Harl. 99. " Cott. xvi. 17. 
Harl. 362. 



156 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

and placed in their present position in the beginning of the igth century. 
Part of the glass is as old as the time of Henry the Seventh, and part is 
of modern manufacture. The banners in the hall, the work of the lady of 
Col. Bence, are those of Henry the Third, Earl of Pembroke, Earl of 
Strahbogi, Edmund Gower, Katharine Mylde, Clopton, D'Ewes, 
Robinson, Moore, Logan, and Starkie. 

"In the park which is extensive and picturesque, was formerly a little 
chapel in honour of St. Anne. It is described in a MS. of Roger Martin, of 
the time of Queen Elizabeth, to have been near the pond in the park ; and 
to have been the spot where a drinking took place when the parishioners 
went the bounds on the second day in Rogation Week, being their longest 
perambulation." 

An account of Kentwell Hall is to be found in the Gentleman's 
Magazine for 1830, pt. ii. 204, 205, and in the Proceedings of the Suffolk 
Institute, vol. n, 59 ; also in the loth Rep. of the Hist. Com. pt. iv. 141, 
142, 146 ; and an account of a visit of the Archaeological Institute to the 
Hall will be found in the Archaeological Journal, vol. Ivi. 403. 

Sir Wm. Parker who knew the place well from residing so near says of 
it : " Since its erection more than three centuries have rolled over it, and 
far from detracting from its beauty, time has only served to add thereto, 
by imparting to it its present lovely mellow tones and shades of colour, and 
rendering more venerable the old trees around it." 

The old Hall is now occupied by Turton Norton, and could not be in 
better hands. The view of the Hall is from a photograph taken by Mrs. 
Norton and kindly given to the writer. 

Arms of Clopton : Sable ; a bend, argent, betw. two cottises dancette, 
or. 

MELFORD RECTORY MANOR. 

The Church of Melford was endowed by Earl Alfric in the nth 
century with a manor and about 261 acres of land. On a partition of the 
church property when the Hospital of St. Saviour's at Bury was founded 
a portion of the land of the manor was appropriated to St. Saviour's and 
at the dissolution fell into secular hands. It appears however that at or 
shortly after the appropriation for the benefit of St. Saviour's Abbot Samp- 
son added further land to the Rectory Manor so that about 172 acres was 
made up thus : 112 acres of the original manor, about 60 of the gift of 
Abbot Sampson ; but by the year 1684 we find the glebe stated as 1313. 3r. 
and under the Tithe Apportionment Act as 1293.. 2r. i8p. as it exists to this 
day. A copy of a survey made of the manor of the Rectory in the 14 Edw. 
I. [1287] is given by Sir Wm. Parker in his History of Long Melford. 

The manor consisted of 100 acres of land, 3^ acres of meadow, 8 acres 
of pasture, and half an acre of wood, and the parson had free right of bull 
and boar, and claimed the right of assize of bread and ale 1 of his 
homagers ; and these rights were in the gift of Sampson, formerly Abbot 
of St. Edmund's. 

The parson also held in Melford 52 acres of arable land, which his 
villeins held of him, with their houses ; and i rood of mowing meadow, 
six acres of pasture, and half an acre of wood. He had also 7 cottars who 
held an acre and a half of land, with their houses, paying 2 shillings a year. 
The particulars of the tenants of the manor and their various holdings are 
given by Sir William Parker in his history. 

1 Regulating the prices of bakers and alesellers. 



MELFORD (LONG). 157 

The Court Rolls of the manor dating from 1412 to 1642 were in exis- 
tence as late as 1669, but have been lost or destroyed ; the earliest still 
existing commences in 1630 and ends in 1641. Extracts, however, from 
the Court Rolls in 1670 will be found amongst the Additional Charters in 
the Brit. Mus. 1 From a terrier delivered at Bury St. Edmunds in 1613 the 
parsonage house is thus described : ' ' The site of the Rectory containeth an 
acre wherein are built one Manour house containing 12 severall rooms 
smal and great with an outhouse and the office of the Dairy with 5 rooms, 
built on the side of ye yarde : one garden containeing one rood ; one 
orchard planted containeing one rood ; al which are inclosed with a moate ; 
one close or ponde yarde, with a sluce, and a swann's tofte, and two fish 
pondes, and one smal crofte inclosed containeing halfe an acre ; one Dove- 
coate with a smal flighte of Doves, and one Pound belongeing to the 
Manour." The old Rectory manor house has been pulled down. 



Add. Ch. 10552. 




158 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

MlLDEN. 

MILDEN MANOR al. WELLS HALL MANOR. 

HIS manor in the Confessor's day belonged to his thane 
Lewin of Bacton, and at the time of the Norman Survey 
was held in demesne by Walter the Deacon, but had 
formerly belonged to Walter's brother Fedric's fee. It 
consisted of 2 carucates of land, and there were 6 villeins, 
6 bordars, 4 slaves, 2 ploughteams in demesne and 
3 belonging to the men, 6 acres of meadow, wood for 6 
hogs, i mill, 2 horses, 6 beasts, 22 hogs, 40 sheep, 12 goats, valued at 4 
pounds. By the time of the Survey the value had risen to 6 pounds but 
two of the ploughteams belonging to the men had disappeared. There was 
however a slight increase in the stock one more beast, 10 more sheep and 
four more goats. The holding was 6 quarentenes long and 4 broad, and paid 
in a gelt yd. There was also a church living with 15 acres of free land ;' 
and over 10 acres (held by a freeman but alienable) the Abbot of St. Edmunds 
had soc and sac. The value was 2 shillings only. 2 There was also a free- 
man holding here under the Abbot at the time of the Domesday Survey 15 
acres of land and 3 oxen valued at 2 shillings. 5 

In the time of Hen. I. Sir Peter de Melding was seised of this manor, 
and he was succeeded by his son and heir William de Melding and to him 
succeeded his son and heir Peter de Melding, and to him his son and heir 
Peter de Melding who died in 1272. In the Hundred Rolls the last Peter is 
stated to have held a Knight's fee here in chief of the King and to have had 
free warren, and that his wife Alice then held the same for life. 4 On the 
death of Alice de Melding in 1361 the manor passed to Remigius de Melding 
brother and heir of the last Peter de Melding. On the Close Rolls for 1274 is 
an agreement between Alice, described as late wife of Peter de Meandlingg, 
and Remigius de Meandlingg, Peter's brother whereby Remigius grants 
that what Alice holds of the feoff ment of Laurence de Meandlingg shall remain 
to Alice for life provided the third of the manor that Isabella the mother of 
Remigius held in dower should remain to Remigius and also a moiety of the 
fees pertaining to the inheritance saving to Alice for life the other moiety 
of those fees. Alice grants that after her death the manor should wholly 
revert to Remigius free of her heirs. 5 The manor did accordingly revert to 
Remigius de Melding, and he in 1290 levied a fine of the manor against 
William Milksop and Alice his wife. 6 

In J 335 a fi e was levied of three parts of the manor and advowson by 
Guy de St. Clare and Margaret his wife against William Muschet and Alice 
his wife 7 ; and a fine of the remaining 4th by the said Guy de St. Clare 
and Margaret his wife in 1343 against Henry Reymond and Margaret his 
wife. 8 The following year a fine is levied of the whole by the said Guy and 
Margaret his wife against Ralph Swift and Roger parson of Bradfield St. 
Clare Church.' 

In the time of Richard the Second the manor had passed to Sir John 
Sutton (son of Sir John Sutton, son of William), for he presented to the 

1 Dom. ii. 427. ' Feet of Fines, 18 Edw. 1. 17. 

Dom. ii. 360. ' Feet of Fines, 9 Edw. III. 2. 

Dom. ii. 427. * Feet of Fines, 17 Edw. III. 19. 

H.R. ii. 142, 151. Feet of Fines, 18 Edw. III. 15. 
' Close Rolls, 2 Edw. I. 8. Schedule 8rf. 



MILDEN. 159 

living in 1370 and died seised of both manor and advowson in 1393, ' when 
the manor passed to Sir Richard Sutton his brother and heir then 60 years 
of age. Sir John left a daughter Margery who married John Walton whose 
heir general Joan Walton married Sir John Howard ancestor of the Dukes 
of Norfolk. A rental of the manor during the holding of Sir Richard 
Sutton will be found amongst the Harleian Rolls in the Brit. Mus. 
dated I398-99." He died about 1409 without issue, and the manor 
went to William Shelton who presented to the living in 1418 and died 
in 1-421. The next lord was Edward Wellys of London who presented to 
the living in 1439. In 1479 James Hobart presented to the living and died 
in 1483, and Henry Hobart seeems to have had some interest in the manor, 
but what interest is not clear, for three years previously Sir Ralph Shelton 
appears to have acquired the manor. A fine in 1476 was levied by Ralph 
Shelton against Erkenwald Wellys son and heir of Alice Wellys, not only 
of this manor, but also of Fenhall and Rothyes Manors and appurtenances 
in Melding, Illegh Combusta, Lavenham, Preston, Magna and Parva 
Waldingfield, Edwardeston, Groton and Boxford. 3 Sir Ralph Shelton the 
grandson of William Shelton above mentioned died in 1498 seised, and the 
manor passed to his son and heir Sir John Shelton, and on his death in 1539 
went to his son and heir Sir John Shelton the younger. Sir John Shelton 
died in I558 4 and the manor passed to his son Ralph Shelton who sold it in 
1558 to Robert Thorpe 5 who subsequently disposed of it to Richd. Forsett, 
at whose death it passed to his widow Margaret who re-married William 
Massey. Davy says in 1571 Roger Annys and Margaret his wife held their 
first Court, but in what capacity he does not state, but immediately after- 
wards he makes Wm. Massey and Margaret his wife sell to Henry Frorsett 
son and heir of Richard, and in 1588 he and William Massey and Margaret 
his wife sold it to Wm. Webbe. 6 Four years later William Webbe sold the 
manor toThomas Shorland 7 and he sold in 1599 to Paul D'Ewes. Amongst the 
Harleian MSS. is a conveyance by Richard Symond of his manor of Welles- 
hall alias Mildinge to John Scott for 40 days in 1606.' Paul D'Ewes held his 
first Court for this manor on the 5th Dec. 8 Charles I., and the Court Roll 
is amongst the D'Ewes papers in the Harleian MSS. in the British Museum. 9 
An order of Chancery for amending the Answer of Samuel Coleman and 
Edward Coleman defendants to the Bill of Paul D'Ewes plaintiff about 
cutting down certain loads of wood in Milding will be found amongst the 
Harleian MSS. in the Brit. Mus. 10 Also other proceedings in this action. Paul 
D'Ewes died in 1630, and was succeeded by his son and heir Sir Symonds 
D'Ewes" on whose death the 18 April 1650 the manor passed to Sir Willoughby 
D'Ewes. It was subsequently sold to the Colmans of Brent Illeigh and 
passed with that estate to Edward Goate." In 1885 the manor was vested in 
Edward Penton Powney of Fyfield House, Hants, who married Madelina 
Louisa 2nd dau. of the Rev. George Porcher of Oakwood, Sussex, and dying 
in 1890 the manor passed to his trustees and ultimately to his eldest sur- 
viving son Major Cecil Du Pre" Penton Powney of Brambridge House, 
Bishopstoke, co. Hants, in whom the manor is now vested. He married 
in 1895 Ethel Mary, eldest dau. of Col. Norton Knatchbull. 

1 I. P.M., 17 Rich. II. 51. ' Harl. 99. 

* Harl. Roll I. 20. ' Harl. MSS. No. 98, 121, p. 160. 

3 Feet of Fines, 16 Edw. IV. 8. '" Harl. MSS. No. 99, 19, p. 20. 

4 See Brent Eleigh Manor in this Hundred. " See Stowlangtoft Manor in Blackbourn 

5 Fine, Mich. 5 Mary i. Hundred. 

Fine, Easter, 30 Eliz. and William Webbe " See Abbot's Manor Brent Eleigh, in this 

v. W. Forsett. Fine, Hil. 31 Eliz. Hundred. 

7 Fine, Easter, 34 



160 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Court Rolls and extracts from same will be found for 1464, 1598 and 8 
Car. I. amongst the Rolls, Charters, and MSS. of the Harleian Collection in 
the British Mus. 1 And a compotus of the manor 1482 to 1493 will be 
found amongst the Rolls of the same collection.' A sale of a rent charge on 
the manor in 1558 is in the same collection, 1 and a precipe on a covenant 
concerning the manor will be found amongst the Additional Charters of 
the Brit. Mus. 4 

BURES OR BOWERS MANOR. 

In the beginning of the i4th century this manor belonged to the De 
Bures family and Robert de Bures had free warren here in 1314.' Five 
years later we find letters patent by Peter de Denardistone directing Simon 
de le Hey of Melding and Isabella de Calewedon his tenants to perform 
their services for their tenements in Milden to Sir Robert de Bures and 
Hilary his wife to whom he had sold the premises. 6 Sir Robert de Bures 
died about 1331,' and the manor passed to his son and heir Sir Andrew de 
Bures, who died the 22 April 1360." Five years later we find the manor 
vested in Sir Grey de Sancto Claro, knt., for amongst the Ancient Deeds in 
the Record office is one of the 39 Edw. III. 9 being a sale by Sir Grey de 
Sancto Claro to John B. . . of Kersey of all the timber and underwood of 
ten acres of wood in Milding belonging to his, Sir Grey's, Manor of Melding 10 
in a wood called " le Park." The manor subsequently passed to Thomas 
Spring of Lavenham the opulent clothier who died the 28 Sept. 1486, when it 
went to his son and heir Thomas Spring who died the 29 June 1523," when 
it passed to Sir John Spring his son and heir, 12 who dying the 7 Feb. 1548'' 
it passed to his son and heir Sir William Spring of Pakenham.' 4 We meet 
in 1575 with a fine of Bowers Manor levied by Robert Cutler against the 
said William Spring, 15 and another two years later of the manor of 
" Melding " against him by John Mendham.' 6 There is also a fine levied 
of Milding Manor in 1599 by Thomas Feltham against John Clerk and others.' 7 
The next lord was apparently James Allington (of the Alyngtons of Horse- 
heath in Cambridgeshire) who died the 7 September 1626, when the manor 
passed to his nephew and heir Sir Giles Allington son of his elder brother 
Giles Allington and of Margaret his wife dau. of Sir John Spencer of Althorp 
in Northamptonshire, knt. 

In Milden Church on the north side of the Chancel is a magnificent 
monument of marble to the memory of James Allington erected by 
his nephew and successor in the lordship. The figure is large as life 
lying in a gown, the head supported by books, and beneath is a skeleton. 
The inscription is : 

Nosce Mori. 

Death hath added to the ornament of this Place, the blessed 
memorials of the right vertuous and learned Gentleman, James Alington 
of Mildenge in the Count, of Suff. Esqr. and Bacheller ; second son 

1 Harl. Roll i, 22, 23, 28 ; 58 F. 8. Harl. " I.P.M., 15 Hen. VIII. 17. 

MSS. 98, 368. " There is a fine in 1546 levied of " Meld- 

Harl. Roll I. 21. ing and Whatfield Manors " between 

Harl. 50 D. 29, 56 I. 33. John Spryng and Henry Hobert. 

Add. Ch. 25396. (Fine, Mich. 38 Hen. VIII.) 

Chart. Rolls, 7 Edw. II. 16. " I.P.M., 2 Edw. VI. 65. 
Ancient Deeds in Record Office, 12 Edw. " See Cockfield Hall Manor and Netherhall 

II., C. 2175. Manor, Little Waldingfield. in this 

I.P.M., 5 Edw. III. 55. Hundred. 

I.P.M., 34 Edw. III. 60. " Fine, Hil. 17 Eliz. 

C. 3199. '* Fine, Easter, 19 Eliz. 

" '.. Bures. '' Fine, Mich. 41, 42 Eliz. 



MILDEN. 161 

of Robert Alington Esqr. and his wife Margaret Daughter of Sir 
William Conesby, Knt., Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas ; 
which Robert was sonne and Heire of that heroicall spiritt ould 
Sr. Gyles Alington of Horseheath in the Countie of Cambridge, the 
sixth Knight of that right worshipful Familie, since their residing in the 
said Countie (who was High Sheriffe of the Countys of Cambridge and 
Huntington the 22 and 27 of Henrie the 8 and the 6 of Edward the 
6th) and of Ursula Daughter of Sr. Robert Drurie of Hawsted in the 
County ot Suffolk Knt. of the Privy Councill to King Henrie the 7th. 

Thus this worthie Gentleman enobled by the Blood of his An- 
cesters but more enobled by the Blood of Christ, at length changed 
this life for a better with his Saviour the 7th of September Anno 
Domini 1626. In honour of whose Pietie towards God, service to his 
Country, and Charitie to the Poore ; and for rescuing all these from future 
oblivion ; Sr. Giles Alington of Horseheath aforesaid Knt. (his 
nephew and Heir to the said James, by his elder Brother Giles 
Alington Esq. and of his wife Margaret, Daughter of Sr. John Spencer of 
Altropin Northamptonshire Knt.) in sacred memory of his affectionate 
Love to his dear Uncle, erected this monument Anno Domini 1627. 

In 1764 the manor is said to have been vested in John Canham. (?) 




MILDN HALL. 




i6a THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



MONK ILLEIGH MANOR. 

RITHNOTH, Earl of Essex, who was killed by the Danes 
at the battle of Maiden about 991, gave this manor with 
the advowson to the monks of St. Peter in Canterbury 
hence called Monks Illeigh. 1 The manor was held with 
5 carucates of land and soc and sac. In Saxon times 
there were 21 villeins, 13 bordars, 4 slaves, 2 plough- 
teams in demesne, 21 belonging to the men, 12 acres 
of meadow and i mill. There was also appurtenant to the manor a church 
living with 22^ acres. The value of the manor was 15 pounds, but by the 
time of the Great Survey this was increased to 20. Though the men and 
implements had decreased the stock had risen. Thus there were but 13 
villeins in place of 21, 12 bordars in place of 18, 3 slaves in place of 4, while 
the ploughteams of the men were reduced from 21 to 13. The additional 
stock consisted of 2 horses, 19 beasts, 20 hogs, and 160 sheep. The manor 
was a league long and 5 quarantenes broad and paid in a gelt 14^.' The 
Hundred Rolls state that the Prior of Holy Trinity Canterbury held pleas 
here and claimed free warren for his lands. 3 

In 1534 Sir William Waldegrave seems to have held, but probably as 
lessee, and he was succeeded in his holding, whatever it may have been, by 
his son William. At the Dissolution the manor was given to the Dean and 
Canons of Canterbury Cathedral and the Dean and Chapter are the present 
lords. Richard Duke held later as tenant of the Dean and Canons and 
in 1650 when the Rev. Miles Burkitt purchased the manor of Parliament, 
this Richard Duke as lessee by a verdict cast him out of possession. In 
McKeon's Inquiry into the birthplace, parentage, life and writings of the 
Rev. Wm. Gurnall, 4 he gives the advertisement to a re-issue of one of Gur- 
nall's sermons made public by Wm. Burkitt and secondly the Rev. Robert 
Ainslie, member of the Independent Congregation at Lavenham, in which is 
the following relating to the unfortunate purchase of the manor made in 
1650, taken from Calamy : " The author saw a petition of his (the purchaser) 
to King Charles soon after the Restoration, in which he represented his 
compassionable case in this manner; that having in the year 1650 
unhappily purchased the Manor of Monks Ely, in Suffolk, belonging to the 
Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, and paid to Mr. Richard Duke the imme- 
diate tenant, 150 for his right, excepting only his lease and term for 
six years determining Sept. 29 1656, the said Mr. Duke had with the very 
money which he had paid him purchased a new lease of the Dean and 
Chapter, sued the petitioner, and obtained a verdict to cast him out of 
possession without any satisfaction, notwithstanding that he by purchasing 
and building, planting and improving the premises, had expended about 
2,500, and run himself into debt whereupon he humbly threw himself 
and his eight children at his Majesty's feet, begging that he might be 
relieved either by commissioners appointed to inquire into particulars, or 
by his Majesty recommending his case to the House of Peers. But he could 
get no answer to his petition nor find any way to obtain relief. He used 
often to say to his friends, ' Tho' I have lost a great many scores of pounds 
by my non-conformity, yet blessed be God, I never wanted.' Some people 

1 Harl. 43 C. 7. H.R. ii. 143, 153. 195 : see I.Q.D., 15 

Dom. ii. 377. Edw. II. 56. . 

4 Woodbridge, 1830, 8vo. 



MONK ILLEIGH. 163 

upon his being turned out scoffingly said, ' Now we shall see Burkitt and 
his family starve,' but he lived to relieve the families of some of those 
very persons at his own door." Particulars of the services and customs 
of the manor will be found amongst the Additional MSS. of the British 
Museum. 1 In the time of Hen. VII. there is an Inquisition of Thomas 
Spring when it was found that a messuage called " Stakwoodes " in Monk 
Eleigh was worth 305. and held of the Prior of Canterbury as of the Manor 
of Monks Illcgh by fealty and 45. rent, and that the same was vested 
in trustees to the use of Thomas Spryng who died the 28 Sept. 2 Hen. VII. 
[1486], and that Thomas Spryng aged 30 was his son and heir. 2 > This last 
is no doubt the Thomas Spring who died the 29 June 1523 . 3 

The manor seems to be mentioned in the Inquis. p.m. of Sir John 
Spring who died the 7 Feb. 1547-8 leaving William his son and h. then aged 
18." 

BOYTON MANOR al. BUYDEN HALL MANOR. 

This manor seems to have been held in the beginning of the i4th 
Century by the Boytons, and William de Boyton in 1304 had free warren 
here. 5 Davy states that Sir William Baldrey, knt. of London was lord and 
was succeeded by his son and heir George Baldrey who died in 1540, when 
the manor passed to his daughter and heir Elizabeth who was married to 
Robert Lord Rich 2nd Baron. He was the son of Richard Rich, Baron 
Rich and Lord Chancellor of England who amassed a large fortune, 
and as Dugdale says, " like a discreet pilot who seeing a storm at hand, gets 
his ship into harbour," retired from the high office on the approach of 
danger. He endeavoured while Sir Thomas More ex-Lord Chancellor 
was a prisoner in the Tower to persuade that upright and honourable judge 
to acknowledge the King's supremacy in spiritual affairs, but without effect. 
Lord Rich's reputation has descended with an indelible stain by reason of 
the baseness of his conduct to Sir Thomas More. Upon his trial Lord 
Rich was a witness against him as to a pretended conversation in the Tower. 
Its truth may be estimated when we consider the character of Sir Thomas. 
To the evidence he thus made answer : " If I were a man, my lord, that had 
no regard to my oath, I had no occasion to be here a criminal ; and if this 
oath, Mr. Rich, you have taken be true, then I pray I may never see 
God's face ; which were it otherwise is an imprecation I would not be guilty 
of to gain the world." Sir Thomas then proceeded to charge him with 
being " light of tongue, a great gamester, and a person of no good in the 
parish where they had lived together, or in the Temple, where he was edu- 
cated." After which he went on to show how unlikely it was that he should 
" impart the secrets of his conscience to a man of whom he always had so 
mean an opinion." 

Lord Rich the 2nd Baron was one of the peers upon the trial of the Duke 
of Norfolk in the reign of Q. Elizabeth, and was afterwards employed by her 
Majesty upon a diplomatic mission to France as well as upon some affairs in 
Ireland. He had issue Richard who married Katherine daughter and co- 
heir of Sir Henry Knevitt, knt., but died without issue in his father's life- 
time, and Robert who succeeded his father as 3rd Baron in 1581. 
Elizabeth his widow survived her husband, and a fine of the manor 

' Add. 6159, 6160. 4 I. P.M., 2 Edw. VI. 65. 

* Inquis., 2 Hen. VII. 234. s Chart. Rolls, 32 Edw. I. 24. 

3 See Netherhall Manor, Little Walding- 
field, in this Hundred. 



164 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

was levied against her in 1585 by Sir John Peyton and others. 1 
In 1 596 we meet with another fine of the manor levin 1 by John Peyton and 
others against Edwin Rich. 1 In 1598 Robert Lord Rich was present at 
the sacking of Cadiz under the Earl of Essex, and was created Earl of War- 
wick the 6 Aug. 1618 by King James I. The Patent recites that "James, 
&c.,the King, calling to mind the memorable, &c.,and renowned deserts of 
the worthy progenitors of his well-beloved and faithful Robert Lord Rich, 
and observing that he treads the paths of virtue and true nobility, as well as 
of piety and probity; being also steady, valiant and faithful to his King and 
country, creates the said Robert Lord Rich Earl of Warwick, to have and to 
hold to him and the heirs male of his body ; and for the l>rtti-r support of 
that honour, grants to him and his heirs male 20 yearly, payable at the Ex- 
chequer." He married two wives, ist Penelope dau. of Walter Dcvereux 
Earl of Essex by whom he had three sons Robert who succeeded him as 
Earl of Warwick, Henry created Earl of Holland, and Charles slain at the 
Isle of Rhee in France in the expedition with the Duke of Buckingham 
in 1627. He also had 4 daughters. His 2nd wife was Frances dau. of Sir 
Christopher Wray, knt., Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, widow 
of Sir George Paul of Snartford co. Lincoln, knt. and Bart., but 
by her had no issue. A precipe on a covenant concerning this manor 
will be found amongst the Charters in the Brit. Mus. 3 

A fine was levied of " Monks Eleigh Manor " in 1569 by William Humm- 
ynge against Robert Thorpe and others. 4 



Fine, Easter, 27 Eliz. ' Add. Ch. 25498. 

Fine, Trin. 38 Eliz. 4 Fine, Easter, II Eliz. 




NAYLAND. 165 



NAYLAND MANOR. 

N the Confessor's time Robert father of Suane held 
2 carucates of land as a manor with soc. There were 6 
villeins, 20 bordars, 6 slaves, i ploughteam in demesne, 
4 belonging to the men, i mill, and 10 acres of meadow. 
The value was 6 pounds which by the time of the Great 
Survey had risen to 8 pounds. There had been a great 
increase in prosperity all round, though the bordars were 3 less, 
the slaves 4 less, and there was one ploughteam less of the men's, yet at 
the Hall there were 3 horses, and belonging to the manor 31 beasts, 45 hogs, 80 
sheep and 35 goats. The manor was half a league in length, and 2 quaran- 
tenes in breadth and paid in a gelt 12^. Suane of Essex was the Domesday 
tenant in chief.' He was succeeded by his son Henry de Essex who for- 
feited the manor in 1163. Gervase speaks of the disgrace of Henry de 
Essex thus : "An. 1157 Rex Henricus expeditioncm paravit in Gualias : 
Signifer enim Regis Henricus de Essessia nomine, dum inter hostiles cuneos 
impeteretur, vexillum regium in terram dimisit. Quoviso Gualenscs auda- 
ciores, Angli vero timidiores effecti sunt, existimantes regem in praclio 
corruisse. Ex hoc infortunio Henricus, cum esset nobilissimus inter 
principes Angliae, perpetuum incurrit obprobrium et exhseredationem." 2 
The duel between Robert de Montfort and Henry de Essex took place in 
1163 in which year Diceto says: " Robertus de Muntford cum Henrico de 
Essex certamine singulari congrediens victoriam reportavit. Henricus 
antem notam infamiae simul et ex hseredationis jacturam incurrens, 
indulgentia principis habitum monachalem suscepit aput Radingum." 3 
Henry III. granted the manor to Hubert de Burgh when he created him Earl 
of Kent. Page rather implies that the manor had to be parted with by the 
Earl, for he says of him " after falling into disgrace with that monarch 
[Henry III.] he was obliged to part with several of his castles and lands to 
secure the quiet enjoyment of the residue," and the Suffolk historian then 
skips to 1339 when the Scroops had the manor. However, the inference 
would not be correct, for Hubert de Burgh held this manor till his death. 
This Hubert was one of the most powerful and influential nobles of his 
time. Dugdale says of him : " The first mention of this Hubert I find is 
that he was servant to King Richard I., as also to King John, being sent 
by the latter from Roan, in the first year of his reign, to treat of a marriage 
for him with a daughter to the King of Portugall ; and had such great 
estimation from that King that in the third year of his reign, being lord 
chamberlain of the household, he was constituted warden of the Marches 
of Wales, and had a hundred soldiers to attend him in those parts." He 
was one of the nobles who stood to King John and witnessed the signing 
of the Magna Charta, being at that time made Justiciar of England. He 
was one of the guardians of Hen. III. and associated in the government 
of the Kingdom during his minority and was Regent of England in 1219. 
He was High Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk in 1215, and 1217 to 1225. 

The incident to which Page refers is narrated by Dugdale, who states : 
" But before the end of this thirteenth year [about Michaelmas] the king 
having a rendezvous at Portesmouth of the greatest army that had been 
seen in this realm (it consisting of English, Irish, Scotch, and Welsh), 

1 Dom. ii. 4016. 3 Ymag. Hist. Col. 535. 

3 Col. 1380. 



166 iTHE MANORS OF SUFFOLK.' 

designing therewith the recovery of what his father had lost in foreign parts, 
and expecting all things in readiness, with ships for their transportation ; 
but finding not half so many as would suffice for that purpose, he wholly 
attributed the fault to this Hubert and publickly calling him ' Old Traytor,' 
told him that he had taken five thousand marks as a bribe from the Queen 
of France; and thereupon drawing out his sword would have killed him, 
had not the Earl of Chester, and some others, prevented it ; but 
displaced him from his office of Justice; whereupon he withdrew till 
the king grew better pacified, as it seems he soon was. For the next ensuing 
year, when divers valiant knights, coming to the king out of Normandy, 
earnestly besought him to land forces in that country, assuring him that 
it might be easily recovered, this Hubert wholly disswaded him from 
attempting it, and prevailed with him to make an expedition into Gascoigne 
and Poictou, where he succeeded so well that having little opposition he 
freely received the homages of the inhabitants of those countries." After 
he regained the royal favour he had a grant in 1232 of the office of Justiciar 
of Ireland and was made governor of the Tower of London the same year. 
A little later he fell again into disgrace, and was sent with indignity to the 
Tower. It seems that when by reason of the intrigues of his enemies, en- 
couraged by one of the meanest of sovereigns ever seated on the throne of 
this kingdom, De Burgh had to flee from London, he received a royal 
safe conduct, relying on which he started to join his wife at Bury St. 
Edmunds, but he had scarcely begun his journey when the king, notwith- 
standing his plighted word and royal safe conduct, sent Sir Godfrey de 
Crancomb with 300 armed men to seize him. 

They surprised him in bed at Brentwood, but he contrived to escape 
almost naked into the parish church, and took refuge at the altar with a 
crucifix in one hand and the Host in the other, hoping that the sanctity 
of the spot would insure him respect and safety. But his enraged pur- 
suers led by the knight in command, regardless of the sacrilege, burst into 
the church, and having dragged the Earl forth, placed him on horseback 
nearly naked as he was, tying his feet under the girths, and so conveyed 
him to the Tower of London. 

So soon as information of this violation of sanctuary came to the ears 
of the Bishop of London he proceeded to the King and boldly rebuked 
him for thus permitting so gross a violation of " the peace of holy church," 
saying that if he did not forthwith free De Burgh of his bonds and send him 
back to the church from whence he had been taken he would pronounce a 
sentence of excommunication against all who had any hand therein. 

" Whereupon," says Dugdale, " the King, being thus made sensible 
of his fault, sent him back to the same chappel upon the 5th calend of Octo- 
ber, but withal directed his precept to the sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire, 
upon pain of death, to come himself in person, as also to bring with him 
the ' posse comitatus,' and to encompass the chappel, to the end he 
should not escape thence, nor receive any manner of food; which the 
sheriff accordingly did, making a great ditch, as well about the bishop's 
house as the chappel, resolving to stay there for forty days." 

From his unfortunate position the Earl was relieved by the influence 
of his friend the Archbishop of Dublin and was conveyed again to the 
Tower, where he was made to disgorge a large amount of plate, silver and 
jewels, alleged to have been wrongfully obtained, all of which, of course, 
passed into the royal coffers. He later received a pardon without, 
however, obtaining his freedom, but after being removed to Devizes he 



NAYLAND. 167 

contrived to escape. The Earl married 1st Joane daughter of William de 
Vernon Earl of Devon widow of William de Beever by whom he had no 
issue; andly Beatrix daughter of William de Warren of Wormegay co. Nor- 
folk, and widow of Dodo Bardolf; srdly Margaret daughter of Robert 
Harsick ; 4thly Hawise Countess of Gloucester and Essex ; and 5thly Margaret 
daughter of William King of Scotland. It is said he had issue by the last 
wife, but this has been doubted on the ground that issue by her would have 
been nearer to the crown of Scotland than any of the competitors claiming 
in the time of Edw. I. inasmuch as the offspring of William King of Scotland 
would have had better pretention than either Bruce or Baliol who were only 
descended from the daughters of David younger brother of the said 
William. However there is no doubt of the Earl having issue by one of his 
wives, and the Manor of Nayland on the Earl's death in 1243 passed to Sir 
John de Burgh, his eldest son who took part with the barons and fought at 
the battles of Lewes and Evesham in the time of Hen. III. He married 
Hawise daughter and heir of William de Lauvalay, and left issue a son 
John who died 6 Edw. I. [1278.] He or his father had a grant of free warren 
in 1260.' John the grandson of Hubert de Burgh exchanged the manor 
with the king about the year 1272. 

The Hundred Rolls state that the manor was at the time of the com- 
pilation of that Record in the King's hands by purchase from John de Burgh, 2 
but the real circumstances seem to be disclosed in an entry on the Patent 
Rolls in 1273, where we find a covenant between the King and John de 
Burgh "who had granted the manor to the King" that John should have 
600 a year until he (the King) had seisin of this manor and others, and 
after seisin the King should demise the manor to the said John for life. 3 

Ministers' accounts of the lands in Nayland " late of John de Burgh," 
in 1275 and 1276, are still preserved in the Record Office. 4 The manor 
was certainly in the King's hands in 1275,' and in 1284 was granted by the 
King to Gilbert Peche for life. It was in 1298 assigned to Margaret Queen 
of England as part of her dower. In 1335 a commission of survey of the 
manor was issued/ and the following year the manor was granted by the 
Crown to Geoffrey de Scrope of Masham in exchange. 7 The manor was to 
be held of the lordship of Cawston in Norfolk by the service of one rose a 
year. Geoffrey de Scrope was in 1323 appointed Chief Justice of the Court 
of King's Bench and again in 1331, but resigned the judicial office on going 
abroad on the King's affairs. He was later engaged in the wars of Flanders 
and attained the rank of banneret. 

Sir Geoffrey de Scrope married Ivetta daughter of William Rosse of 
Igmanthorpe, and dying about 1340 the manor passed to his son Henry de 
Scrope, who in 1334 was summoned to Parliament as Baron Scrope. He 
distinguished himself in the wars with Scotland, and was present at the 
battle of Durham where the Scottish King sustained so signal a defeat. 

In the next reign he was one of the ambassadors sent to treat with 
Charles King of Navarre touching a league between that prince and the 
King of England. He died in 1391," and the manor passed to his son Sir 
Stephen le Scrope 2nd Baron. He had been knighted in the lifetime of his 
father for important services rendered to his sovereign and country both 

' Chart. Rolls, 44 Hen. III. 4. Pat. Rolls, 9 Edw. III. pt. ii. 27^. 

' H,R. ii. 140, 150. 7 Chart. Rolls, 10 Edw. III. 12, 20 ; 

3 Pat. Rolls, 2 Edw. I. 24. Originalia, 10 Edw. III. 34. 

4 3 and 4 Edw. I., Bundle 1089, No. 7. " Extent. I.P.M., 16 Rich. II. 28. 

5 I.P.M., 3 Edw. I. 41. 



168 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

by sea and land. He married Margery widow of John son of Sir William 
de Huntingfield, knt., and dying in 1406 the manor passed to his eldest 
son Sir Henry Scrope 3rd Baron summoned to Parliament from 1408 to 1414 
as Lord Scrope of Masham. 

In an Inquisition quod damnum in 1415 it is found that Sir Henry 
le Scrope held Nayland Manor and a water mill parrel thereof.' He was in 
high favour with Hen. IV., and his abilities were of so high an order and his 
counsel deemed so desirable in the affairs of the realm that the King assigned 
him the towns of Hamstede and Hendon in Middlesex for lodging and enter- 
tainment for himself and his servants and horses during his stay in West- 
minster or London. 

How grossly he abused the confidence of King Henry V. when sent on 
an embassy to the French is quaintly told by Dugdale. 

" But this great trust," says Dugdale, " he shamefully abused ; for 
being a person in whom the king had so great a confidence that nothing 
of private or public concernment was done without him ; his gravity of 
countenance, modesty in his deportment, and religious discourse being 
always such that whatsoever he advised was held as an oracle ; upon this 
his solemn embassy into France (which none was thought so fit to manage 
as himself) he treated privily with the king's enemies (being in his heart 
totally theirs) and conspired the king's destruction, upon promise of reward 
from the French ; his confederates in this design being Richard, Earl of 
Cambridge (brother to the Duke of York) and Sir Thomas Grey, a northern 
knight. But before this mischievous plot could be effected (which was to 
have killed the king and all his brethren ere he went to sea, five ships 
being ready at Suthampton to waft the king over into France), it was 
discovered. Whereupon he had a speedy trial for it [before Thomas, Duke 
of Clarence, and other peers], at Suthampton, and being found guilty, there 
lost his head," in August, 1415. 

The attainted nobleman had married ist Philippa daughter of Sir 
Guy de Brian and 2ndly Joan Duchess of York sister and coheir of Edmund 
Holland Earl of Kent, but had no issue. The manor on the attainder passed 
to the Crown, but in 1421 was restored to the traitor's brother Sir John 
Scrope who in 1426 was summoned to Parliament as Lord Scrope of Masham 
and Upsal, and became Treasurer of the Exchequer. He died in 1455,' 
and the manor passed to his widow Elizabeth. On her death in 1466 the 
manor passed to Sir John's eldest son Thomas le Scrope 5th Baron who dying 
in I475, 3 it passed to his eldest son Thomas 6th Baron. He married Eliza- 
beth daughter and coheir of John Nevil, Marquis of Montecute, by whom he 
had an only daughter Alice. Thomas the 6th Baron died in 1494, and in 
the Inquisition of that year we find that the Manor of Nayland consisted 
of 500 acres of land, 200 of meadow, 500 of pasture, 200 of wood worth 
3O/., and that it was held of Edmund Earl of Suffolk by Sir Thomas 
Scrope Lord Masham who was seised in fee, and that Alice Scrope, aged 12, 
his daughter was heir. 4 

Alice married Henry Lord Scrope of Bolton and had a daughter 
Elizabeth married to Sir Gilbert Talbot, knt. Alice Lady Scrope died in 
1501, and Elizabeth in 1516, when the manor was retained by her husband 
Sir Gilbert during his life. He died the 19 September 1517 when it passed to 
his son and heir Gilbert Talbot. 5 After this the manor went as did the Scrope 

I.Q.D., 3 Hen. V. 2. ' I.P.M., 9 Hen. VII. 948. 

Extent. I.P.M., 34 Hen. VI. 14. ' I.P.M., 10 Hen. VIII. 17. 
> Extent. I.P.M. 1 Edw. IV. 1. 



n..\iL-iii. i.r.m., ,54 am. vi. 14. 
Extent. I.P.M., 15 Edw. IV. 41. 



NAYLAND. 169 

estates on the death of Geoff ery le Scrope gth Baron without issue to Elizabeth 
Talbot's great aunt Mary married to Sir Christopher Danby, knt., and we 
find an action in the Star Chamber, in the time of Philip and Mary, as to 
seizure of wood &c. in the manor by Sir Christopher Danby against John 
Payne and others," and amongst the Chancery Proceedings in the time of 
Queen Elizabeth are actions respecting the manor by John Freston against this 
same Sir Christopher Danby and another. 2 The manor then passed to Sir 
Jerome Weston, knt. of Roxwell in Essex, who died in 1603, when it passed 
to his son Sir Richard Weston, knt., who having been employed in various 
embassies and discharged several offices of trust and importance in the 
reigns of James I. and Chas. I., in particular in the reign of the former as 
ambassador to Bohemia and later to Brussels to treat with the representa- 
tives of the Emperor and King of Spain regarding the restitution of the 
palatine, was advanced to the peerage in 1628 as Baron Weston of Nayland. 
The previous year he had had a grant of a market for Nayland. 3 

He died in 1634, but the manor does not seem to have continued in the 
family, for the very next year 1635 we find that the reversion of the manor 
was granted to Sir George Hastings and others. 4 It is quite probable, 
however, the grant may have been but by way of settlement. We do not 
find any further particulars of the manor until 1814, when we meet as lord 
with Sir Wm. Rowley 2nd Bart, son of Sir Joshua Rowley (created a Baronet 
10 June 1786) by Sarah his wife dau. and heir of Bartholomew Burton. 
He married in 1785 Susannah Edith daughter of Admiral Sir Robert Harland, 
Bart., and on his death the 2Oth Oct., 1832, the manor passed to his eldest 
surviving son Sir Joshua Ricketts Rowley 3rd Baronet vice-admiral R.N., 
who married in 1824 Charlotte only daughter of John Moseley of Great 
Glemham House, but had no issue, and dying the 18 March 1857 the manor 
passsed to his brother Sir Charles Robert Rowley 4th Baronet who married 
in 1830 the Hon. Maria Louisa Vanneck only daughter of Joshua 2nd Lord 
Huntingfield, and dying in 1888 the manor passed to his eldest surviving son 
Sir Joshua Thelluson Rowley 5th Bart, of Tendring Hall, the present lord, 
who in Oct. 1888 married the Hon. Louisa Helene Brownlow 3rd dau. of 
Charles 2nd Baron Lurgan formerly Maid of Honour to the Queen. 

Extracts from the Court Rolls of the manor as to rights of the Prior 
and Monks of Horkesley from 44 Hen. III. to 9 Edw. II. will be found in 
the Bodleian. 5 



1 Public Record Office. Bundle r, 60. " Chancery, D.K.R. 48. App. p. 535. 

' C.P., ser. ii. B. Ixii. 3. 5 Bodl. Essex Rolls 17. 

3 Originalia, 22 Jac. I. 3 Pars Rot. 4. 




THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



NEWTON. 

N the time of the Confessor a manor was held here by the 
Abbot of St. Edmunds and in Norman days it was held 
by Aelons of the Abbot. There were 2 carucates of land, 

2 ploughteams in demesne, ij belonging to the men, 2 slaves, 

3 beasts, 40 hogs, 97 sheep, 3 villeins, 4 bordars, 14 goats, 16 
hives of bees, wood for 8 hogs and 2 acres of meadow. 
The value was 2 pounds in Saxon days, but by the time of 

the Great Survey, it had risen to 2j pounds. The particulars of the manor 
had somewhat altered ; both the slaves and the goats had disappeared, the 
hogs had come down to 29 and the hives of bees to 9 while there was wood 
sufficient for 6 hogs only. The beasts however had risen to 7, the sheep to 
102 and the bordars to 10. The manor was 6 quarantenes in length and 3 
in breadth and paid in a gelt 4^. less i farthing.' 

NEWTON HALL MANOR. 

This was given by Theodred Bishop of London to St. Edmunds, 
and belonged to the Abbot, as we have seen at the time of the Domesday 
Survey when Aelons held it of him. In 1285 it was held by John de Moese 
and passed to his son and heir John. On his death in 1308 a third part 
went to his widow Ada in dower and she remarried William de Pappworth. 
On Ada's death the whole passed to her first husband's brother and heir 
Thomas de Moese at whose death it went to his daughter and heir Margaret. 
In 1316 the manor was vested in Sir William de Botevilleyn or Butvillein 
who was married to Lady Julian and on his death the manor passed to his 
son and heir Thomas. A William de Blunvill had had a grant of free warren 
in Newton as early as 1267.* 

In 1345 Thomas sold the manor and advowson by fine to William de 
Bohun Earl of Northampton and Elizabeth his wife. This William de 
Bohun was one of the heroes of Cressy and was a distinguished person in 
the stormy times in which he lived. He was created Earl of Northamp- 
ton the 17 March 1337 upon the advancement of the Black Prince to the 
Dukedom of Cornwall. The Earl was installed a Knight of the Garter 
and held several important offices in the State. His wife Elizabeth was a 
daughter of Bartholomew de Badlesmere one of the coheirs of her brother 
Giles and widow of Edmund de Mortimer. In 1354 a fine was levied of the 
manor and advowson by Peter Fanelore against this William de Bohun and 
Elizabeth his wife, the same being then held apparently by William de 
Clopton for life, 3 and in 1359 an( i X 3^2 two other fines were levied, the first 
of the manor and advowson and the second of the manor alone by Adam 
Fraunceys, Thomas de Langeton chaplain and Gregory Fanelore against 
Peter Fanelore, 4 and by Gregory Fanelore against John Osckyn, John Barton 
and Thomas de Langham chaplain, 5 and the manor and advowson became 
vested in Adam Fraunceys afterwards Sir Adam. From Sir Adam the 
manor seems to have passed to Peter Fanelore, for he certainly held in 
J 373 as amongst the Ancient Deeds in the Record Office is a Bond of this 
P,eter Faneloure to Sir John Milys on account of a loan with note endorsed 
for voidance on Peter securing to Sir John lands in Newton, a rent in his 

1 Dora. ii. 360. Feet of Fines, 33 Edw. III. 8. 

' Chart. Rolls, 51 Hen. III. 4. ' Feet of Fines, 36 Edw. III. 21. 

J Feet of Fines, 28 Edw. III. 27. 



NEWTON. 



171 



manor there and the advowson of Newton Church bought by him from 
Peter. 1 And in the same depository is a deed actually effecting a transfer 
by Peter Fanelore to Sir John Milys therein described as of Clissley, parson 
of Bradewell, of lands and rents in the Manor of Newton with the advowson 
of Newton Church. 2 

A Parliamentary Petition relating to the manor by Peter Fanelore 
is referred to in the 34th Report of the Deputy Keeper. 3 Whether 
Peter was son or brother of Sir Adam Fraunceys does not appear to be clear, 
but on the death of Peter the manor appears to have passed to Sir Adam's 
daughter Maud who married ist John Aubrey, 2nd Sir Alan Buxhull, knt. 
K.G., and srdly Sir John Montacute Earl of Salisbury. By her 2nd husband 
Sir Alan Buxhull, knt. Maud Fraunceys would seem to have had a son also 
called Sir Alan Buxhull for we find a settlement of this manor made by 
him as late as 1436. The father Sir Alan Buxhull must have died before 

1383- . 

Sir John de Montague the 3rd husband of Maud was, as Dugdale says, 
" a great favourite of the King ; he was one of those whom that monarch 
[Rich. II.] suborned to impeach Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Gloucester 
as also the Earls of Warwick and Arundel in the ensuing Parliament." 
He was appointed Marshal of England in the absence of Thomas Holland 
Duke of Surrey at the time employed in Ireland. " It is reported of this 
Earl," says Dugdale, " that though upon the deposal of King Rich. II. 
(to whom he had been most obsequious) he had such fair respect from King 
Henry IV. that his life was not brought in question ; nevertheless he con- 
federated with the Earls of Huntingdon and Kent in designing his destruction, 
and accordingly came with them to Windsor Castle, under the disguise 
of Christian players with purpose to murder him and his sons, and to 
restore King Richard. But finding that their plot was discovered they 
fled by night to Cirencester in the county of Gloucester. Whereupon the 
townsmen, being much affrighted at their coming thither with such numbers 
at such unseasonable time, stopping up all the avenues, to prevent their 
passage out, there grew a sharp fight betwixt them, which held from mid- 
night until three of the clock next morning, so that being tired out, they 
yielded themselves desiring that they might not suffer death till they could 
speak with the King, which was granted ; but that a priest of their party 
setting fire to the town to give them an opportunity for escape so irritated 
the inhabitants that (neglecting to quench the fire) they brought them out 
of the abbey in great fury and beheaded them about break of the day." 
The Earl was one of the most zealous of the sect called " Lollards," and on 
his death the 5 Jan. 1400* he was attainted and his estates forfeited. 3 

It is true that the King restored some portion of the forfeited estates to 
his widow and children, and his son Thomas de Montague was subsequently 
restored and regained the title. The manor does not seem to have been 
forfeited, possibly because the inheritance of the Earl's wife, for we find 
that in 1425 Maud, the Earl's widow, was still in possession, and in that 
year died seised both of the manor and the advowson. 6 On her death the 
manor passed to Sir Alan Buxhull her son by her second husband, and 
therefore her heir. Davy makes Thomas the next Earl of Salisbury the 
party to whom the manor passed, but this was evidently a guess, as he found 
subsequently the manor in the possession of Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick 

1 Ancient Deeds, 47 Edw. III. A. 3829. 4 I. P.M., i Hen. IV. ir. 

' Ancient Deeds, 47 Edw. III. A. 3929. 5 I.Q.D., I Hen. IV. 33. 

3 No. 3352, App. p. 58. 6 I.P.M., 3 Hen. VI. 31. 



172 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

the husband of this Thomas's only daughter and heir. But a deed still 
preserved amongst the Ancient Deeds in the Public Record Office shows the 
guess to be a delusion and discloses how the manor did actually devolve. 
It seems that by a deed practically amounting to a settlement dated the loth 
March 14 Hen. VI. John VVolston and Richard Phylip who had had a grant 
from Sir Alan Buxhull demised to this Sir Alan both the manors of Newton 
Hall and of Wyke and the advowson of Newton Church to hold to the said 
Alan and his heirs with remainders to Richard Nevill Earl of Salisbury and 
Alice his wife and her issue, Elizabeth wife of Robert Lord of Wyllughby, 
Anne wife of Lewis John and late the wife of Sir Richard Hankeford, knt., 
and the heirs of the said Elizabeth and Anne. 1 It will be seen that these 
were Sir Alan Buxhull's connections by the marriage of his mother, for 
Alice was the only daughter of Thomas de Montague last of the name, 
Earl of Salisbury the eldest son of Sir John de Montague Earl of Salisbury 
who had married Sir Alan Buxhull's mother, and Elizabeth and Anne were the 
sisters of Thomas. Sir Alan Buxhull no doubt died without issue, and the manor 
passed according to the entail to Richard Nevill 2nd son of Ralph ist Earl of 
Westmoreland, and Alice his wife. Alice was, as we have said, the only 
daughter of Thomas Montague the Earl of Salisbury whom Davy supposes 
to have been seised of the manor. We can hardly pass by this celebrated 
man without a word. Polydore Vergil describes him as " a man for hawtines 
of courage and valiancie rather to be compared with the auncient Romanes 
than with men of that age," and in his account of the reign of Hen. VI. 
says of him : " He might have ordeyned and done many thinges after his 
oun fantastic, for he was a man alwaye of most ready witt and mature 
judgement, valiant to enterprise great matters and in greatest daunger 
frollike ; neyther body nor minde would ever yield to painfulnes nor 
travaile, by reason whereof there was none in whom the men of warre had 
more confidence, nor under whom they durst so well attempt any daungerous 
exployte." He served in the wars abroad under the Duke of Bedford, 
and was the general sent by him to recover Melun and was ultimately 
slain at the siege of Orleans in 1429. Polydore Vergil gives the following 
quaint account of the unfortunate accident which caused the death of this 
great captain : " The siege of Orleance continued the more part of winter, 
with great perill, many woundes, and much slaughter ; for the Englishmen, 
in cruell assaultes, did everywhere eyther kill or wounde many of their 
enemies. Againe, the towne valiantly defending, requited them the like ; 
when, as in the meane space, the chaunce was that the Earle of Salisbury, 
loth to tarry longer, and desirous to winne the towne, one day early before 
sonnrise, began to viewe the same againe more earnestly then he was wont, 
out at a certaine windowe of buildings which he had in an high place, to 
theintent he might espye where to give commodiously a newe assault; 
which he thought mightily to assay as one inflamed with desire eyther to 
winne the towne by force, or to cause it yeelde. While that he was busied 
in this order, and by the space of 60 days did vehemently annoy the citizens, 
behold even sodenly eyther an yron or stone pellett shott out of a brasen 
peece with great force right against the place where he stoode, did strike 
and breake thone side of the windowe, and drove certaine shilvers thereof into 
his face, wherewithall he was so wounded as that he dyed thereof two dayes 
after. He lefte one Alis, his onely daughter, very like him in conditions, 
vertue, and honor, whom, as we shall hereafter shewe, one Richard Nevill 
took to wife. But howe great losse the common wealth sustained through 

1 Ancient Deeds, 14 Hen. VI. B. 2786. 



NEWTON. 173 

his untimely death appered evidently incontinent. Truely from that day 
forth the English forrain affaires beganne to quaile ; which infirmitie 
though the English nation, as a most sounde and strong body, did not 
feele at the first, yet afterward they suffered it as a pestilence and sicknes 
inwardly, by litle and litle decaying the strength ; for immediatly after 
his death the fortune of warre altered, as hereafter shalbe declared in 
place convenient ; wherefore the death of the earle was much lamented of all 
the captaines in generall, who, neverthelesse, after that they had performed 
all thinges for his buriall, mainteined the siege and sought to atchieve that 
which the Earle of Salesbury had in mind determined, which was, by what 
meane they might eyther take the towne by force, or, at the least, compell 
the citizens to yeelde." The Earldom of Salisbury was revived in favour 
of Richard Nevill the husband of the only daughter of the last Earl. He 
engaged in the Wars of the Roses serving the Duke of York, and was present 
at the battle of St. Albans. He defeated Lord Audley at Blore Heath in 
1456 and again fought at Northampton in 1460, when he was appointed 
Lord Great Chamberlain of England. At the battle of Wakefield, however, 
he sustained defeat, and his 2nd son Thomas fell with the Duke of York. 
The Earl himself was made prisoner when his head was immediately cut 
off and placed on a pole over one of the gates of the city of York, " for," as 
Polydore Vergil says, " a spectacle to the people, and a terror to the rest 
of the adversaryes." This unfortunate event happened 3ist Dec. 1460 
and the manor passed to his eldest son and heir Richard Nevill surnamed 
the Stout, Earl of Warwick, who thereupon became 2nd Earl of Salisbury. 
This nobleman is known to history as the King Maker. He espoused the 
cause of the Yorkists and commanded the van at the Battle of Northamp- 
ton and though sharing in the reverses of his party later he out-generalled 
the Lancastrians and reaching London before his adversaries proclaimed 
the young Earl of March as Edw. IV. and established him on the throne by 
his great victory of Towton Field. He received for his services the offices 
of Lord Great Chamberlain and Lord High Steward, and not unnaturally 
obtained large grants from the Crown. So enormous indeed were his ac- 
quisitions that it is said his revenue amounted independently of his own 
family property to four score thousand crowns a year. It is well known 
how later he re-established Hen. VI. on the throne, and finally fell at the 
Battle of Barnet in 1471. His hospitality was so great that it is said that 
in his London house 6 oxen were usually eaten at breakfast and every tavern 
full of his meat, " for who that had any acquaintance in his family should 
have as much sodden and roast as he might carry upon a longer dagger." 

He married Lady Anne Beauchamp daughter of Richard 5th Earl of 
Warwick and left 2 daughters, but the manor with the other possessions 
of the great Earl were forfeited to the Crown. 

The Crown in 1484 granted the manor to Queen's College Cambridge 
in perpetual frank almoign,' but Hen. VII. resumed the grant and the manor 
was again vested in the Crown. In 1538 however we find amongst the 
Bodleian Charters a lease for 21 years by Margaret Pole mother of Cardinal 
Pole, and the Countess of Salisbury to William Alston of Newton of this 
manor, there called " Newton Manor al. Newton Hall." 2 Probably the lease 
only related to lands held of the manor or the lease was an attempt by the 

1 D.K.R. 9. App. ii. p. 96. Grant to * 30 Hen. VIII., Bodl. Suff. Ch. 358. 
Royal College of St. Margaret and 
St. Bernard, Cambridge. Pat. Rolls, 
2 Rich. III. pt. i. 12. 



i?4 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

countess to exercise a right of ownership. There is, however, amongst the 
Chancery Proceedings of Q. Elizabeth in 1598 a claim made under a lease 
brought by Henry Wynterfludd against William Alston sen. and jun. to 
messuages in Newton holden of Thomas Barrowe as of his manor of Newton 
Hall in Newton by William Houge who granted the lease in question. 1 
At all events it is certain that in 1543 the manor was granted by Hen. 
VIII. to Thomas Barrow, son of Thomas Barrow, son of Richard Barrow, 
of Wynthorp co. Lincoln, and the particulars for the grant will be found in 
the Record Office,' and the grant itself is entered on the Originalia Rolls 
of the same year.' Thomas Barrow who was of Shipdenham co. Norfolk 
was the son of Thomas, son of Thomas, son of Thomas, son of Richard 
Barrow of Winthorp co. Lincoln, married Mary daughter and coheir of 
Henry Bures of Acton, and had by her Thomas, William, and Henry (who 
was executed in London with Rookwood), and amongst other children a 
daughter Anne married 1st to Sir Rafe Shelton and 2ndly to Sir Charles 
Cornwallis. Thomas Barrow the grantee died in 1590. Thomas his eldest 
son having died he was succeeded by his (Thomas's) son William Barrow 
who lived at Westhorp and married ist Frances daughter of Sir Robert 
Wingfield of Letheringham but had by her no issue. He married for his 
second wife Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Daundy of Cretingham, and 
had by her with three other children a son Maurice. 

William Barrow died the 24 Dec., 1613, and was buried at Bury, 4 
when the manor passed to his widow Elizabeth and on her death in 1634 
to their son Maurice Barrow. 3 He died in 1666 at the age of 69, and by 
his will dated i665-8 6 he desired to be buried at Westhorpe and left 500 
for the erection of his tomb. He devised the manor to his cousin Maurice 
Shelton the elder. Maurice Shelton was of an ancient family connected 
with both Norfolk and Suffolk. Sir Ralph Shelton who was Sheriff for 
Norfolk in 1570 married for his second wife a sister of William Barrow as 
above mentioned, and from this marriage Maurice Shelton was the second 
in descent. On Maurice Shelton's death the manor passed to his son and heir 
Maurice Shelton of Barrington who married Martha dau. of Robert Appleton 
of Great Waldingfield and died the 7 Oct. 1680 leaving a sole daur. and heir 
Martha married to Lisle Hacket of Monksworth Hall co. Warwick, but the 
manor passed to Maurice's brother Henry Shelton who married Hester 
only daughter of Sir John Churchman of Illington co. Norfolk and dying in 
1690' the manor passed to his son and heir Maurice Shelton. He married 
twice, first Arabella daughter of Sir John Duke of Benhall and secondly 
Margaret daughter of the Rev. John Randall of Bury St. Edmunds and 
died without male issue in 1749." 

The manor now belongs to Earl Howe. 

Arms of Barrow : Sable, 2 swords in Saltire, the points upwards argent, 
hilted and pomelled or. betw. 4 fleur-de-lis of the last of Fraunceys : 
Gul. a chevron erm. between three doves volant proper. 

SAYHAM al. Si AM OR SAXHAM HALL MANOR. 
This manor was held in Edward the Confessor's time by Hathrad under 

1 C.P. iii. 244. * For will see Raydon Hall Manor in 

* 35 Hen. VIII. D.K.R., App. ii. p. 164. Samford Hundred. 

O., 35 Hen. VIII. 4 Pars Rot. 8. ' His will is dated the 23 Apl. 1688 trans- 

4 His will is dated 23 Dec. 1613. ferred to the principal Registry 16 

* As to Maurice Barrow and the Shelton Dec. 1690. 

family see Barningham Manor in * His will is dated 1746 and was proved 
Blackbourn Hundred. at Sudbury. 



NEWTON. 

Harold with soc and sac and 2 carucates of land. There were 3 villeir 
7 bordars, 4 slaves, 2 ploughteams in demesne and 2 belonging to the men^N 
wood for 6 hogs, 4 acres of meadow and a church living with 30 acres of 
free land, also i horse, 3 beasts, 17 hogs, 60 sheep, 17 goats and half right of 
advowson to a church living with 8 acres of free land. By the time of the 
Domesday Survey the bordars had risen to 20 and the beasts to 8, the hogs 
to 20, the sheep to 103, the goats to 35 and there was an additional half 
ploughteam belonging to the men ; but the slaves had come down to one 
and there was no horse. A freeman also half under Huthrad and half under 
the Abbot of St. Edmunds by commendation but wholly as to soc of the 
Abbot had 20 acres which he could sell without the necessity for any 
licence. The whole was then valued at 60 shillings but had been in Saxon 
times valued at 40. It was half a league long and 4 quarantenes broad and 
paid in a gelt 6<f .' 

The Domesday tenant in chief was Ralph de Limesi 2 a relation of Robert 
de Limesi Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry and, according to Kelham, 
a nephew of the Conqueror, though Dugdale makes no mention of such a 
relationship. This was one of the forty-one manors in England bestowed 
upon him by King William besides the lands of his wife Christina one of 
the sisters of Prince Edgar Atheling grandson of Edmund Ironside brother to 
Edward the Confessor. Ralph de Limesi founded at Hertford a priory of Bene- 
dictine monks subordinate to the Abbey of St. Albans in the time of Abbot 
Paul and died in 1093. He was succeeded by his son Ralph who married 
Halewise and the manor passed on his death to his son Alan and then to 
Alan's son Gerard de Limesi who married Amy daughter of Trian de Horne- 
lade of Bidun- Limesi and to their son John de Limesi who married Alice 
daughter of Robert de Harcourt. John de Lemesi died in 1198 and was 
succeeded by his son Hugh de Limesi who died in 1223 without issue. In 
1346 we find Sir Robert de Royton lord and he died in 1361 and the manor 
passed to his son Sir John de Royton who was living 10 Hen. VI. He was 
succeeded by his son Sir John de Royton and he by his son and heir another 
Sir John Royton who died in 1416 and was succeeded by his son and heir 
Thomas de Royton who died in 1484 and the manor passed to his grandson 
Sir Robert de Royton, who died in 1518. On his death he was succeeded 
by his son Sir Robert de Reyton. The next lord we meet with is one 
Alnott about 1550, but soon after the manor passed to Edward Alston. 

This family seems originally to have come from Essex. As early as 
the time of Edw. I. we find a William Alston, of Stisted, in this county, for 
want of warranty of Brockscroft in Stisted granted and conferred to John 
de Carpenter of Naylinghurst in Braintree, so much of the better land in 
Stisted except his mansion house there. John Alston of Newton, descended 
from the above-mentioned William of Stisted, was father of William Alston 
of Newton who by Anne his wife daughter of Thomas Symons had a son 
and heir Edward Alston who resided at Saham Hall in Newton and married 
Elizabeth daughter of John Coleman by whom he had two sons William 
his successor in this manor and Thomas of Edwardston. William was born 
at Newton in 1537 and married Mary Holmsted of Maplested co. Essex 
by whom he had several children whose descendants became settled at 
Marlesford, Polstead, Lavenham and various other places in Suffolk and the 
adjoining counties. In the Calendar of Pleadings relating to the Duchy 
of Lancaster in 1600 will be found a suit as to a relief respecting the lands in 

1 Dom. ii. 4286. * See Overhall Manor, Cavendish, in this 

Hundred. 



176 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK 

Newton by Alston against Turner, 1 and in the same Pleadings the same year 
is a suit as to rent, fealty and suit of Court, and as to the tenure of the Manor 
of " Seyham Hall " by the Attorney-General against William Barrow lord 
of Newton Hall Manor.' 

Of this family Sir Thomas Alston of Odel in Bedfordshire knt. was 
created a Baronet June I3th 1642, and Joseph Alston of Chelsea was created 
a Baronet in 1681. 

There is amongst the Harleian Charters in the British Museum a grant 
in dower of this manor in the early part of the I3th century. The manor 
is there called " Say ham al. Siam." 3 And in the same collection is a 
grant of goods in the manor in I34&. 4 

Edward Alston M.D. who died the 21 July 1705 aged 25 years, the 
Rev. Edward Alston B.D. of East Bergholt and rector of Newton 
who died the i8th Feb. 1722 aged 79 years, and Samuel Alston of 
East Bergholt who died the 9 Oct. 1752 aged 66, are buried at Newton. 
A Thomas Alston was baptised in Newton in 1713 and was buried there in 
1785, and he, according to Page, appears to have been the last of the family 
who resided in Newton. Edward his son married Frances daughter and 
heir of Daniel Constable of Manningtree co. Essex and settled there, 
whose son Edward Daniel Alston died at Palgrave and the Rev. 
Edward Constable Alston of Cransford Hall and vicar of that parish in the 
middle of the last century his only son was the representative of that 
branch of the Alston family. Though the manor in 1656 seems to have 
passed to one Gunton and in 1847 to have been in the possession of Thomas 
Lazzell Tiffen, which latter gentleman resided at the Hall, the Alstons were 
retaining land in the parish during Alston's period, according to Page. 
Arms of Alston : Az. Ten cstoiles or, four, three, two, and one. 

BOTELERS al. BUTLERS OR BUXTONS MANOR. 

This manor was apparently held at the close of the I3th century by 
Robert Carbonell who had a grant of free warren here in I277- 5 Thomas 
Carbonel of Great Waldingfield seems to have been lord and to have been 
succeeded (after the death of his widow Elizabeth in 1325) by his son John 
Carbonel who had a grant of free warren here in 1301,' and died in 13337 
when the manor passed to his daughter and heir Alice married to Ralph 
Butler. In 1393 Margaret daughter of Ralph Butler and Alice his wife and 
wife of Thomas Boteler had a confirmation of free warren here, 8 and in 1410 
Sir Andrew Butler was lord. He by will in 1429 left the manor to his wife 
Catherine daughter of Sir William Philip for life. Sir Andrew died in 1430 
and on the death of his widow in 1460 it passed to William Crane who had 
married their daughter and heir Margery. William Crane was succeeded 
by his son and heir Robert Crane who died the 23 October 1500,' and was 
succeeded by his brother and heir John Crane who died in 1505, and was 
succeeded by his son and heir Robert Crane who died in 1550,' when the 
manor passed to his son and heir Robert Crane who died in 1591, when it 

1 Duchy of Lancaster, Cal. to Pleadings, 5 Chart. Rolls, 5 Edw. I. 

42 Eli/. 3, 34. ' Chart. Rolls, 29 Edw. I. 8. 

' Duchy of Lancaster, Cal. to Pleadings, ' I. P.M., 7 Edw. III. 4. 

42 Eliz. 36, 43 Eliz. 22. ' Chart. Roils, 17 Rich. II. 

' Harl. 55 G. 6. I. P.M., 16 Hen. VII. 

Harl. 54 H. 22. I. P.M., 4 Edw. VI. 84. 



NEWTON. 



177 



went to his son and heir Sir Robert Crane so well known as of Chilton. 1 
This manor was about 1880 vested in the Rev. T. L. N. Causton, and sub- 
sequently in his trustees, but is now vested in Mr. C. Beaumont. 



For a fuller account of the Crane family see Chilton Manor in Blackbourn 

Hundred. w 




178 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



POLSTEAD. 

OBERT the father of Suane of Essex in the time of 
Edward the Confessor held a considerable manor here with 
soc. It consisted of 4 carucates of land, with 26 villeins, 36 
bordars, i slave, 2 ploughteams in demesne, 15 belonging to 
the men, i mill, wood for 80 hogs and 31 acres of meadow. 
The value was 10 pounds. By the time of the Norman 
Survey the value had risen to 12 pounds and the details of 
the holding were considerably varied. Thus, there were 5 villeins 
and 6 bordars less, and instead of the men having 15 ploughteams they 
had but 9. There were, however, additionally, 8 horses at the Hall, 28 
beasts, 40 hogs, and 150 sheep. The extent was 8 quarantenes long and 
4 broad, and the holding paid in a gelt 2od. whoever had the land. 1 

The following holdings of Ralph de Limesi, 1 as entered in Domesday 
Book, seem to be in Polstead, one was a manor of considerable size. They 
were said to be in Hoketuna and Finstead, the latter stated to be a 
hamlet of the former and included in the valuation, which was in Saxon 
times 4 pounds, and in Norman days 100 shillings. The whole was together 
in length 8 quarantenes and in breadth 4 and paid in a gelt ^d. All weie 
held in the Confessor's time by Huthrad under Harold, he holding as a 
manor with 2 carucates with soc. There was then one villein and there were 
two bordars, 5 slaves and 3 ploughteams in demesne, but a ploughteam had 
been added by the time of the Great Survey. There were also 10 acres of 
meadow, wood for 20 hogs, and i horse at the Hall, also 3 beasts in Saxon 
times, but none in Norman days. At Finstead Huthrad held in King 
Edward's time a carucate which Ralph de Limesi held as a hamlet of Hoke- 
tona from Edgar his predecessor in title. 3 

POLSTEAD MANOR. 

Suane the Domesday tenant had settled in England before the Con- 
quest and readily joined with William the ist on his invasion. His lands 
were confirmed to him and he seems to have had additional grants, for in 
Essex alone he held 55 lordships. Henry de Essex, standard bearer to the 
King, held the manor in the time of Hen. II. and forfeited it about n62. 4 In 
the time of John the lordship was held by Sir Hugh de Polstead. He 
married Hawys daur. of Hugh de Candois lord of Burnham Mercate and 
coheir by Anselina his wife, dau. and coheir of William de Grandcourt. 
Julian the other dau. and coheir married William de Gymingham and in 
the 7th John they recovered one carucate of land as heirs of William de 
Grandcourt against Walter de Grandcourt. Sir Hugh gave by deed sans 
date to the monks of Castleacre, for the soul of Hawys his wife a piece of 
land in St. Margaret's parish at Beresmere by Depedale. In the ist year of 
King John Walter de Grandcourt had brought an action against Sir Hugh 
de Polstead for making Julian his wife's sister and coheir a nun 
(she being in his custody) that so he might enjoy the inheritance 
of the said Julian ; but it appears that Julian afterwards married William 
Jernegan and in the loth of John, Sir Hugh de Polstede and Hawys his wife 

1 Dom. ii. 401. J Dom. ii. 428. 

' See Overhall Manor, Cavendish, and 4 Extent. The King. I.P.M., c. Hen. III. 

Sayham Hall Manor, Newton, in 244. See H.R. ii. 146. 

this Hundred. 



POLSTEAD. 



179 



and Wm. Jernegan and Julian his wife divided the estate which came to 
them as heirs of the Grandcourts. and the said Julian took as a second hus- 
band Sir William de Gymingham. From the Close Rolls we learn that in 
1229 Richard de Argent and Joan his wife appointed John de Kancia 
their attorney in proceedings against this Hugh de Foisted deforciant 
concerning the third part of lands with rent in Foisted. 1 

On Sir Hugh de Polstead's death the manor passed to his son and heir 
Hugh de Polstead. This Sir Hugh with Sir William de Gimingham were 
found to hold two fees of the Honor of Haughley when an aid was granted 
on the marriage of King Henry the Third's sister to the Emperor of Germany ; 
and in the 2oth of Hen. III. gave 25 relief for 5 knights' fees which he held 
of the King ; and in the 26th of that King paid 5 marks fine for not attending 
the King into Gascoyne. Sir Hugh de Polstead the son died in I266. 2 
From the Testa de Nevill we learn that this Hugh de Polsted held in Pol- 
sted 2 fees and 3 parts of a fee of the Honor of " Relege," 3 and from the 
Hundred Rolls we learn that he held of the King in chief Peniton belonging 
to the Manor of Polstead for one Knight's fee and sold the same to St. 
Peter's, Ipswich. 4 On Sir Hugh de Polstead's death in 1266 the King took 
the manor in hand for 2 years and it was then divided between Sir Hugh 
de Polstead's 3 daughters and coheirs, Hawise, Petronella, and Rohesia. 

Blomefield states that in 1267 Petronella and Rohesia, the daughters 
of Hugh de Polsted had the right of presentation to the Church of Polstede. 5 
Hawise the eldest daughter married Thomas de Lambourne who resigned his 
right in the manor of Polstede Hall in Burnham Westgate in Norfolk 
for the Manor of Polstede in Suffolk. Petronella married Edmund de 
Kemesek. The Hundred Rolls state that William de Lambourne and 
Edmund de Kemesek held in Polstead in chief of the King 2 fees. 6 
William de Lamburn had warren here. 7 William de Lambourne son or 
grandson of Thomas died in 1300," without issue leaving a sister Joan his 
heir, who married William de Cheyne. 

Petronella de Kemesek by deed dated the May 23 Edw. II. conveyed 
her portion or right in this lordship to Sir James Lambourne son of the 
above Thomas and Hawise and Joan (not Mary, as Blomefield and Page say) 
his wife. Referring to this deed, Blomefield says, " Her seal 9 is of red wax, 
the impress being a woman bearing in her right hand an escotcheon, argent, 
fretty sable, and in her left a chief indented, the first being the arms 
of Polstead, the other probably those of Kemesek." 

The licence for the last-mentioned conveyance, which is on the Patent 
Rolls, throws a very different light on the transaction to what would naturally 
be inferred from Page's statement, which by-the-way, is really taken from 
Blomefield. It authorises Petronella de Kemesek to grant to James de 
Lambourne and Joan his wife and his heirs a moiety of the manor held in 
chief and for the grantees to re-convey to the grantor for her life with 
remainder to Thomas her son for life and then to James de Lambourne and 
Joan and his heirs. 10 The fine on the alienation was duly paid, as may be 
seen from the Originalia Rolls." 

1 Close Rolls, 13 Hen. III. m. i8</. " H.R. ii. 142, 150. 

3 I.P.M., 50 Hen. III. 34, not 15 Hen. III., ' H.R. ii. 143, 153. 

as Page says. 8 Extent. I. P.M., 28 Edw. I. 14. 

3 T. de N. 292. i.e., the Seal of Petronella de Kemesek. 

4 H.R. ii. 150. '- Pat. Rolls, i Edw. II. pt. ii. 12. 

5 Norf. 8vo. Ed. vol. vii. 33. " 0., I Edw. II. Ri. ii. 



i8o THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

A fine of this moiety of the manor was levied the following year (1308) by 
the said Petronella de Kemesek and Jas. de Lambourne and Joan his wife. 1 
Another fine of the manor and advowson was levied in 1338 by Thomas de 
Lambourne and Elizabeth his wife against Reginald de Shutlyngdon parson 
of Lambourne Church and Richard del Hoo chaplain of Polestead. 1 We 
find also another fine levied in 1347 of both the manor and advowson by 
the same Thomas de Lambourne and Elizabeth his wife against Thomas 
Torny parson of Boxford Church and William de Chevyngton chaplain. 1 
Rohesia de Polstede married Robert le Moyne and had an only daughter and 
heir Emma who married Sir Ralph de Hemenhall and in the time of Rich. II. 
Richard de Hemenhall died seised of a moiety of the lordship of Foisted 
Hall. 

Thomas de Lambourne son and heir of James died seised in 1361, 4 and his 
son William de Lambourne in I362, 5 when the manor passed to his sister and 
heir married to William de Cheyne ; and on the Originalia Rolls we find an 
order this same year [1352] to accept security from William de Cheyne and 
Joan his wife, sister and heir of William de Lambourne deceased, for a 
reasonable relief in respect of Polstead Manor held in chief of the King as of 
the Honor of Reyleagh. 6 

William de Cheyne appears to have held for a considerable time, for in 
1386 there is a fine levied of the manor and advowson by Ralph de Walton, 
John Benyngfeld clerk, John Brook clerk, John Turk and Nicholas Harpour 
clerk against John Giffard clerk and Sir John de Sutton " which Sir William 
Cheyne held for life."' In 1394 there is also a fine levied of Polstead and 
Navelond Manor by Thomas Cogeshall, Thomas Bataill, John Boys, Roger 
Wolferston, Thomas Monchesy, Gilbert Debenham, Clement Spice, John 
Aleyn and Ralph Chamberleyn against Ralph Walton, John Benyngfeld 
clerk and John Brook clerk. 8 These were evidently snares of the manor 
for we find Richard de Hemenhall succeeded by his son William in the 
lordship and coming of age in 1403. Three years later the manor passed to 
Sir Richard Waldegrave, who died 2 May 1434,' from which time to the 
time of Sir Wm. Waldegrave who died in 1613 the manor devolved in the 
same course as the Manor of Smallbridge in Bures in this Hundred. 

In the State Papers for 1541 is a statement of livery being made of 
Polstead and Levenley Manors and the advowson of the Church of Polstead 
to Sir William Waldegrave sen., 10 viz., son of George Waldegrave, son and 
heir of the said Sir William Waldegrave sen. Sir William Waldegrave still 
held in 1582, for there is a mortgage in the Record Office amongst the ancient 
deeds by Edmund Wheler the elder of Polstead to Robert Leeyes of Stoke by 
Nayland of " Capells Tenement " in Polstead, which he had bought of 
Sir William Waldegrave, knt. on the 3rd Oct. then last, adjoining " Sayte- 
feyld " al. " Sayersfilde," and the lord's land called " the dourie," parcel of 
the tenement called Blacksall, and abutting on a grove called " Over- 
fey Ide Grove," and on a heath called " Polsted heathe," for payment by the 
said Edmund to the said Robert of 34. 55. [1582]." Sir Wm. Waldegrave 

1 Feet of Fines, 2 Edw. II. 29. See an O., 36 Edw. III. 5. 

action by this James de Lambourne ' Feet of Fines, 10 Rich. II. 16. 

against the Bishop of Colchester. ' Feet of Fines, 18 Rich. II. i. 

Pat. Rolls, 3 Edw. III. pt. i. 3. Extent. Polstead Manor and advowson. 
' Feet of Fines, 12 Edw. III. I. P.M., 13 Hen. VI. 27. 

3 Feet of Fines, 21 Edw. III. 14. ' State Papers, 1541, 878 (4). 

' Extent. I.P.M., 35 Edw. III. no. " A. 6589. 
> I.P.M., 36 Edw. III. 106. 



POLSTEAD. 181 

sold the manor in 1598 to John Brond, 1 John Gage and others. 2 A 
fine was levied of the manor in 1601 by Thomas Walton and others 
against the said John Brond. John Brond or Brand was a clothier of 
Boxford son of Richard Brand of Boxford. John died in 1610 at the age of 
76, leaving by his second wife Ann Bromwell of Boxford a son Benjamin 
Brand to whom the manor passed. Benjamin Brand resided at Edwardston 
and had a grant of arms the year of his father's death. He married Elizabeth 
daughter of Robert Cutler of Ipswich and died in 1621 when the manor 
apparently passed to his brother and heir Jacob Brand of Polstead who 
married Elizabeth daughter of William Cutler of Ipswich and dying in 
1630 the manor passed to his son and heir William Brand who died in 1705 
leaving by Margaret his wife a son Jacob Brand who married Jane daughter 
and coheir of Bartholomew Beale and on his death passed to his son and 
heir William Beale Brand who married Ann Mirabella Henrietta daughter 
of Sir Robert Smith Bart. At his death, in 1799, the manor went to his 
widow Anne Mirabella Henrietta Brand who died in 1814, when it passed 
to W. B. Brand's great nephew Thomas William Cooke son of Thomas Cooke 
rector of Bildeston who died in 1796 and of Elizabeth his wife, which Thomas 
Cooke was the son of the Rev. Thomas Cooke rector of Semere who died 
in 1793 and of Jane his wife daughter of the above-named Jacob Brand of 
Polstead and sister of the above-named William Beale Brand. Thomas 
William Cooke married Mary Anne daughter of Richard Matthews of War- 
grave, Berkshire. Page says the manor passed to this Mary Anne, but this 
does not seem to be the case. She did take, but only after her husband's 
death without issue, in 1825, and shortly afterwards she re-married Charles 
Tyrell of Gipping and Plashwood, who resided at Polstead Hall and held the 
manor in right of his wife until her death in 1849. The manor subsequently 
passed to the Rev. Thomas Alexander Cooke. He resided at Polstead Hall 
and married Harriet 2nd daughter of Edward Sarney of Sonndess Oxon who 
died in 1894. Mr. T. A. Cooke died the following year, when the manor 
passed to the trustees of his will and subsequently to his eldest son Edward 
Buckley Cooke the present lord who was born in 1849, was educated at 
Elstreeand Dr. Bridgeman's, Woolwich, and is a magistrate for the Western 
Division of the County of Suffolk. Court Rolls of the manor 1277 to 1506 
and 1523 to 1534 will be found amongst the Additional Rolls in the British 
Museum. 3 

Polstead Hall is a fine old handsome white brick mansion on a pleasant 
eminence, in a park of 100 acres well stocked with deer and containing some 
grand old timber, amongst which is a large oak tree near the church known 
as the " Gospel Oak," and said to be the oldest in England. As to this 
oak tree, see " East Anglian Notes and Queries," New Series, vol. iii. 88. 
The place is celebrated for its cherries. 

SPROTTS MANOR. 

Against this manor there is a query in the Davy MSS. if one Bileston 
was not the lord in 1359. In 1573 the lordship was held by Sir Thomas 
Rivett 4 who died in 1582. Amongst the Marquis of Salisbury's MSS. at 
Hatfield is a letter from Lord North to Lord Burghley dated the 5 October 
1582, in which he says: "Sir Thomas Rivett is thought to be past recovery, 
and cannot live out this winter. He hath conveyed his lands to his daughters 

' Fine, Mich. 40, 41 Eliz. * See Stoke Nayland Manor in this 

* Fine, Easter, 40 Eliz. Hundred. 

3 Add. Rolls, 27681, 27093, 34937. 



i82 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

and delivered the conveyance from himself, because he will have no altera- 
tion ; his brother's son is wholly shut out of all. To his eldest daughter, who 
he hath matched with Mr. Haydon, he hath given his lands in Norfolk 
and Wales ; these are esteemed near 400 marks a year. To the second 
he hath given his Manor of Chippenham and his lands in Hertfordshire 
which is Baldock. Chippenham is 400 marks a year. Baldock and those 
lands are thought to be 140 by the year ; but he hath given Chippenham 
to ' my lady ' during her life. To the youngest, which he hath by this 
venter, he hath given Stoke with all his Suffolk lands, and hath given her 
besides the land which he bought of Sir Nicholas Pointz, called Oselworth. 
Stoke is yet in lease, some part of it, for a year or years, 10 or 12 ; that manor 
only will be worth 700 a year. Howbeit ' my lady ' hath Stoke also for 
jointure. Yet if Sir Thomas Cecil have any young son, sure this young 
daughter, who is more than 12 years old, shall dispend near on 1,000 
yearly. This conveyance is kept very secret, and I come to it strangely, 
for I am not in great favour there. He would not that his brother should 
know of this device." " Writer's purpose is to let Burghley know what is 
to his hand, and what he bestows he might have due thanks for." This 
manor probably according to the conveyance passed to Mirabill the 3rd 
daughter of Sir Thomas Rivett ; but we then lose sight of it until the end of 
the i8th century when we find it vested in Sir Joshua Rowley, who died 
in 1790. From this period the devolution is the same as Nayland Manor in 
this Hundred. 

CASTELES MANOR. 

Very little is known of this manor save that it belonged at the close of 
the I5th century to Sir Robert Chamberleyne and from him passed to his 
widow Elizabeth who dying the 23 May 1517' it passed to their son and heir 
Sir Ralph Chamberleyne who dying the 4 March 1523 it went to his son 
and heir Edward Chamberleyne, 2 and later belonged to Richard Brand of 
Boxford, who died in 1610, when it passed to his son John Brand of 
Edwardston Hall. 

NEWSTEAD OR NEWSTEAD HALL MANOR. 

Of this manor Thomas Spring, the rich clothier of Lavenham, was lord, 
and died seised in 1523, when it passed to Sir John Spring of Hitcham, 
his son and heir. 3 The manor then passed to Richard Brand of Boxford, 
and from him on to his son and heir John Brand, 4 who died in 1610, and 
was succeeded by his son and heir John Brand of Edwardston Hall. 
After this the manor went to Thomas Fones, apothecary, who died in 1629 
and was succeeded in the lordship by his s. and h. Samuel Fones. 



1 I.P.M., 9 Hen. VIII. 117. 4 This manor is included in a fine levied 

' I. P.M., 14 Hen. VIII. 106. in 1598 by John Bronde against 

3 See Netherhall Manor, Little Walding- John Gage and others. (Fine, 

field, in this Hundred. Easter, 40 Eliz.). 




PRESTON. 183 



PRESTON. 
LWAR a freeman under Stigand held as a manor 2 carucates 

^ ^ an( * nere w ' t ^ 1 soc m Edward the Confessor's time. There 
were 4 villeins, 4 bordars, i slave, 3 ploughteams in demesne 
and i belonging to the men, 9 acres of meadow, 5 beasts, 24 
hogs and 40 sheep. By the time of the Norman Survey 
there was not much alteration i ploughteam less in 
demesne, i beast less, 21 hogs less and 4 sheep. In Newton 
there were also 3 freemen under commendation to Woolard. Over two of 
these the Abbot of St. Edmunds had soc and sac and over the third 
Wisgar the predecessor of Richard; but earlier Norman son of Tancred. 
In Domesday's time Roger de Poictou had the soc and sac, and three 
had 23 acres among them and half a ploughteam. In the Confessor's day 
the value was placed at 4 pounds, but by the time of the Survey it was 
fixed at 3. Roger de Poictou was the Domesday tenant in chief. 1 

Another manor belonged in Saxon times to the Abbot of St. Edmunds 
and was held at the time of the Domesday Survey of the Abbey by Arnulf 
a free man who could give or sell his lands. He had 3 carucates in demesne 
which he used to plough with three teams, but later with only 2. There 
were 2 villeins, 4 bordars and they used to plough half a carucate. There 
were also appurtenant to this manor I slave, 3 acres of meadow, and 3 
freemen who had 26 acres of land and a half and half an acre of meadow. 
These also could give or sell their land. The value had been 4 pounds, but 
it had come down to 3. The manor was 12 quarantenes long and 6 broad 
and paid in a gelt 2d. There was likewise here a Church living with 
7 acres. The Great Record says : " Hanc hominem et terram suam dedit 
Willelmus Rex Sancto Edmundo et Balduino Abbati et socam et omnem 
commetudinem," but which man the Record refers to as having been so 
generously given by the King to St. Edmunds and Abbot Baldwin is not 
specified. Three socmen were the last mentioned. 1 

PRESTON HALL OR CHURCH HALL MANOR. 

The manor held by Ulwar in Saxon times and by Roger de Poictou 
as Domesday tenant was subsequently known as Preston Hall or Church 
Hall Manor, and may be regarded as the main manor of the 5 into which 
the land in Preston later became divided. In 1155 we find that this manor 
was vested in Aubrey de Vere Earl of Oxford who died in 1194. From 
this time to the death of John de Vere I4th Earl of Oxford in 1526 a 
period of over three centuries the devolution of this manor is the same 
as that of Earl's Manor in Cockfield which has been already given. 

The following details however relate to this manor in particular : 
Inquisition post mortem of Hugh de Vere 4th Earl of Oxford in I264. 3 
Robert de Vere 6th Earl of Oxford had a grant of free warren here in I33O. 4 
John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford. Inquis. p.m. in 1360.* The like of 
Thomas de Vere 8th Earl of Oxford in 1371 6 An account of John Watres 
bailiff and John Bonde provost of the manor from Michaelmas 5 Rich. II. 
to Mich. 6 Rich. II. is amongst the Bodleian Rolls. 7 Statement of forfeiture 

1 Dom. ii. 350. 4 Chart. Rolls, 4 Edw. III. 37. 

' Dom. ii. 3596. 5 I.P.M., 34 Edw. 111.84; i6Rich. II. 157. 

5 I.P.M., 48 Hen. III. 26. Extent of I.P.M., 45 Edw. III. 45. 
manor. 7 Bodl. Suff. Rolls, 25. 



184 



THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



of this manor by the i2th Earl of Oxford in 1462 and grant to Duke of 
Gloucester.' Amongst the Harleian Charters in the British Museum is a 
grant by John Earl of Oxford to James Arblaster and John Power. It 
is dated the I July 6 Edw. IV. 1 Inquisition post mortem of John Earl of 
Oxford in 1475' and a grant by the Crown the same year of this manor, 
also of the Manors of Cokefield, Aldham and Mendham to John Howard 
and the heirs male of his body with Knight's fees, &c., belonging to the 
King, to hold by accustomed services with all issues due to the King. * 
Particulars of the lands in Preston held by the Earls of Oxford will be 
found amongst the Rawlinson MSS. in the Bodleian. 5 

On the death of John de Verei4th Earl of Oxford this manor passed, 
according to Davy, to the Earl's sister Elizabeth married to Sir Anthony 
Wingfield, and on her death in 1558 passed to their son and heir Sir Robert 
Wingfield. A fine was levied of a moiety of the manor by John Wyngfeld 
and others in 1562 against the said Sir Robert, 6 and another fine of the 
whole by Richard Wyngefylde and others in 1576 against the said Sir 
Robert. 7 On Sir Robert's death the manor descended to his son and heir 
Sir Anthony Wingfield.* But, according to Page, on the death of the I4th 
Earl of Oxford the manor passed not to Elizabeth who married Sir Anthony 
Wingfield, but to her sister Dorothy who married John Lord Latimer and 
passed to his son John who had livery of the same in 1543 and was living 
in 1578 but had no issue male by Lucy his wife daughter of Henry Earl of 
Worcester. His estates became divisable between his four daughters and 
coheirs. Kirby concurs in Davy's statement. There are two Chancery 
actions amongst the Proceedings in the time of Elizabeth showing that 
Page's statement is correct and Davy's and Kirby's inaccurate. The 
first is an action by John Nevill Lord Latimer and another against Robert 
Springe touching " The Priory " and disputed land in Preston Manor ; 9 and 
the second is an action by the same against Thomas Poley, Julien his wife 
and another as to the same manor. 10 

By the opening of the I7th century the manor had passed to Sir Thomas 
Skinner, for he sold it in r6o8 to Isaac Woden. In 1617 it seems to have 
been in the possession of Richard Goodday sen. for he in that year had 
licence to alienate it to trustees. The Davy MSS. then state that Richard 
Earl of Oxford who died in 1632 held 2/3 of a fee here but whether the manor 
or not is not clear. Davy includes him among his list of lords and makes 
Robert Price succeed him as lord and die in 1638. 

The probability, however, is that the manor continued in the Goodday 
family from 1617 to the time that Sarah Goodday married Henry Copinger 
of Buxhall, for we know that in 1689 this Henry Copinger was lord of the 
manor. Henry Copinger was born in 1654, on the 7th July 1670 was 
admitted at Caius College Cambridge, and on the i4th Dec. 1675, ten days 
after his father's death was admitted a Fellow Commoner of St. John's 
College. In 1686 he married Sarah Goodday the only daughter and heir 
of George Goodday and by deeds of lease and release dated the 2gth and 
30th April 1689, the latter made between Henry Copinger of Buxhall and 

1 R.P. vi. 228. 
Hart. 57 C. 14. 
' I.P.M., 15 Edw 



' I.P.M., 15 Edw. IV. 28. 

4 Pat. Rolls, 15 Edw. IV. pt. ii. 15. 

> Rawl. B. 319. 

* Fine, Easter, 4 Eliz. 



' Fine, Mich. 18-19 Eliz. 

8 See Walsham Manor in Blackbourn 

Hundred. 

C.P., ser. ii. B. cxxxii. 86. 
10 C.P., ser. ii. B. cxxxii. 87. 



PRESTON. 185 

Sarah his wife of the one part and Robert Beachcroft citizen and cloth- 
worker of London of the other part they conveyed to the said Robert 
Beachcroft and his heirs " the Manner of Preston Hall al. Preston Church 
Hall " and divers messuages and lands in Preston and Kettlebaston in 
the county of Suffolk whereof divers rents belonging to the said 
manor were part, and were therein mentioned to amount in the whole to 
eight pounds five pence and one halfpenny, namely thirty-three shillings 
and eight pence thereof being freehold rent and six pounds six shillings 
nine pence halfpenny residue thereof being copyhold rents or arising out 
of copyhold lands parcel of the said manor. The writer has in his possession 
a bond given by the said Henry Copinger and Sarah his wife to the said 
Robert Beachcroft dated the soth April 1689 in consequence of doubts 
having been entertained as to the exact amount of the rents arising from 
the manor. It was to operate in this way : if the freehold rents fell short 
the Vendors had to pay to the purchaser a sum equal to twenty years 
purchase of the amount, and if the copyhold rents fell short, forty years 
purchase ; if, however, they were more the purchaser covenanted to pay 
sums calculated in the like way on the increase to the Vendors. 

The manor descended from Robert Beachcroft to Samuel Beachcroft 
and in 1734 passed to his eldest son Matthew Beachcroft. By Indenture 
of lease and release dated the 16 and 17 Oct. 1734 and made between 
Matthew Beachcroft and Elizabeth his wife of the 1st part, Dame Elizabeth 
Porter widow of the 2nd part, Robert Moxon of the 3rd part, James Porter 
and Edmund Brent of the 4th part, and by virtue of a recovery the Manor 
of Preston was conveyed to the use of Matthew Beachcroft for life with 
remainder to the use of Elizabeth his wife for life with remainder to use of the 
children in tail as Matthew Beachcroft and Elizabeth his wife might jointly 
appoint or as the survivor might appoint and in default of appointment 
in tail. Matthew made his will the 17 July 1747 which was proved at 
Canterbury and Elizabeth made her will the 18 Dec. 1759. Samuel Beach- 
croft was the heir at law, but Elizabeth by her will seems to have appointed 
this manor to Elizabeth her daughter in tail. She, however, died un- 
married in her mother's lifetime, and Elizabeth her mother by a codicil 
dated the 18 Nov. 1764 appointed the manor to her two sons Robert Porter 
Beachcroft (the elder) and Joseph Matthew Beachcroft in tail in equal 
shares as tenants in common. Robert Porter Beachcroft by will dated 
the 9 Jan. 1781 devised all his estates to his wife Sarah Beachcroft for life 
and if no child to his nephew Matthew Beachcroft, son of his brother 
Samuel. Joseph Matthew Beachcroft died a bachelor, and by will dated the 
29 Aug. 1781 devised all his estates to his eldest brother James Beachcroft. 
As neither Robert Porter Beachcroft nor Joseph Matthew Beachcroft 
suffered a recovery or barred the entail the moiety of the first named on 
his decease descended to his olny child the Rev. Robert Porter Beachcroft 
as tenant in tail; and the moiety of J. M. Beachcroft on his decease passed as 
follows : Half to the said Saml. Beachcroft his eldest brother and from him 
to the said Matthew Beachcroft his eldest son as tenant in tail, and the 
other half to the Rev. Robert Porter Beachcroft as tenant in tail being the 
only child of the said Robert Porter Beachcroft, the said Samuel and 
Robert Porter Beachcroft being the only surviving children of the said 
Matthew Beachcroft the grandfather, all others having died without issue. 

Matthew either settled his share on Elizabeth his wife with remainder 
to his sons in tail or it passed under his will dated the 10 Aug. 1821 to his 
trustees Messrs. Steward Beachcroft and Maberley upon trust for sale. 



186 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

The share was sold to Wm. Turner in 1829. He did not retain long, for 
in the Morning Herald for the 22 Aug. 1832 we find that the manor with 209 
acres was sold for 6,600, the timber and fixtures being taken at a valuation. 
The farm was then let for 8 years at 260 per an. and the remainder of 
the property was estimated to produce about 40. The following year 
on the 17 July the manor was again offered for sale, being then stated to 
contain in all 200 acres let for 7 years at 260, also 10 acres of woodland, 
the outgoings being 26. I2s. $d. a year. It sold for 6,510.' In 1839 the 
manor was purchased by Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie Bart, the celebrated 
physician, 1 who frequently came down to this part of the country. He 
died the 21 Oct. 1862 and by will dated the 17 Oct. 1861 proved the n 
March 1863 devised the manor to his trustees the Hon. George Waldegrave 
Leslie and Henry Halford Vaughan. The latter by deed poll dated the 
17 Oct. 1863 renounced, and George Waldegrave Leslie and a trustee George 
Lushington, who had been appointed in Vaughan's place with Sir Benjamin 
Collins Brodie, the physician's son, sold the manor. 

In 1885 it belonged to W. S. Calvert and is now vested in Mrs. Calvert. 

Preston Hall in the reign of James I. and Charles I. was the seat of 
the great antiquary Robert Reyce, the preserver of so much of historical 
interest which but for his industrious efforts would have been irretrievably 
lost. He did not hold the manor though his father Robert was seated in 
Preston in the time of Edw. VI. Robert the antiquary married Mary, 
eldest daughter of Thomas Appleton of Little Waldingfield who died 29 
Feb. 1629 and was buried in Preston Church where to her memory is a 
flat stone with an inscription. Mr. Reyce survived her about nine years 
and was buried the 15 Sept. 1638 within the communion rails in the parish 
church of Preston near the remains of his wife. He held the patronage of 
the living, and as Page says, " was a benefactor to this his native village 
and an honour to the place that gave him birth." 

Reyce's Breviary of Suffolk was published in 1902 with notes by Lord 
Francis Hervey, and it is of the greatest interest and value. The notes 
are just of that character one rejoices to see appended to a work like Reyce's, 
and useful as old Reyce's production is, the notes are by no means the 
least useful or valuable portion of the work as issued. 

Amongst the MSS. of the House of Lords is an Indenture dated the 
nth Oct. 1621 by this Robert Reyce to Smyth and others. Reyce out 
of his desire for the service of God and his regard for Preston where his 
ancestors had lived for 120 years, and been buried, and where he had lived 
and hoped to be buried, and also his regard for Emmanuel College, Cam- 
bridge, grants the rectory and vicarage of Preston to Smyth and others, 
upon trust within three years after his death to procure the union of the 
said rectory and vicarage, with all tithes, &c., in the person of the then 
present incumbent Thomas Willys or in case of his death in such person 
as the Master, Fellows and Scholars of Emmanuel College should from time 
to time present to the said living ; the trust further provides for the 
preaching of sermons during Lent on certain subjects, &c. 3 

SWIFT'S MANOR. 

This manor seems to have been carved out of the holding of the Earls 
of Oxford, of course not later than the time of Edw. I. It was held of 

1 Newspaper, 19 July 1833. ' Hist. MS. Com: 3 Rep: App. p. 241 

1 P.R.S., Serjeant-Surgeon to Queen 
Victoria: 



PRESTON. 187 

Mortimer's Manor by fealty and suit of Court at the yearly rent of three shillings 
and eight pence. In 1360 we find Ralph Swift holding 2 parts of a fee of 
the Earl of Oxford. This is not unlikely that Ralph Swyft of Preston who 
in 1326 had acknowledged that he owed to the Abbot of St. Osyth 80 
to be levied in default on his lands in Suffolk. 1 In the time of Hen. VI. 
this estate was vested in John Jervys. The manor was later held by 
Cecily, Duchess of York (mother of Edw. IV.), who gave it in 1480 to 
John Smith of Bury founder of the Chantry there, 2 and the following year 
it was vested in the Guild of Jesus College in Bury by the gift of this John 
Smith. The particulars are not given, as they can be seen in the will 
of John Smyth of Bury printed in Tymm's Wills and Inventories from the 
Registers of the Commissary of Bury St. Edmunds and the Archdeaconry 
of Sudbury issued by the Camden Society in 1850. On the dissolution 
the manor passed to the Crown and in 1548 was granted to Richard Corbet, 
who apparently passed it on to Wm. Poley for he seems to have had it 
this same year and died seised the 31 Aug. I556, 3 when it passed to his son 
and heir Thomas Poley. He sold the manor in 1588 to Edmund Jermyn 
who alienated it to William Waldegrave, but in what capacity the alienee 
held whether beneficially or otherwise does not appear, though probably 
as trustee, for we find that John Jermyn had in 1596 licence to alienate 
to Thomas Jermyn and Henry Firmage as trustees. In 1609 Thomas 
Burler was lord, and the next lord Thomas Burler died without issue. In 
1767 the manor belonged to John Newman, for there is a memorandum in 
the Court Books of Mortimer's Manor that this year he sold Swift's Manor 
to the Rev. Henry Grossman. Grossman died about 1798 leaving an only 
child Elizabeth married to Edward Green, and they acknowledged holding 
lands by free tenure of the Manor of Mortimer's the 25 June, 1798, and the 
same date acknowledged fealty for Swift's Manor. In 1833 on the 17 
July this manor was offered for sale by public auction and realised 3,800. 
It comprised 150 acres, the farm let for 4 years at 130, timber to be 
taken at a valuation. The land tax was stated to be n. i8s. 4 In 1849 
Sir Benjamin C. Brodie was lord, from which time the devolution is identical 
with that of the main manor. 

MAISTER'S MANOR. 

This manor was held as half a knight's fee by William de Kentwell of 
the King, and, according to Testa de Nevill, Robert de Whelnetham held 
the manor of William de Kentwell at the time of the compiling of that 
record. Gilbert de Kentwell who held this same estate, which was one 
carucate of land, gave the same to the Masters of the Commandry of Knights 
Hospitallers or Knights of St. John of Jerusalem at Battisford in 1316, 
in frankalmoign 5 and on the suppression of the religious houses it passed 
to the Crown. In 1543 it was granted to Andrew Judd 6 who the same 
year had licence to alienate and did sell to Robert Spring of Lavenham. 
He died the 20 April r549 7 when this manor passed to his son and heir 
Thomas Spring who died the 15 January 1556" when it passed to his son 
and heir Robert who had licence to alienate to Robert Rookwood and 
Dorothy his wife in 1572. The sale was carried into effect by a fine levied 

1 Close RoDs, 19 Edw. II. jd. 5 H.R. ii. 142, 150, 154, 194. 

See Brett's Manor, Hepworth, in Black- " Originalia, 35 Hen. VIII. i Pars Rot. 128: 

bourn Hundred. ' I.P.M., 3 Edw. VI. 141. 

' I.P.M., 4 and 5 P. and M. 48. " I.P.M., 3 and 4 Ph. and M. 93. 
Morning Herald,, 22 Aug. 1832. 



4 



i88 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

in Easter Term 14 Eliz. Robert and Dorothy had licence to alienate in 
1591 to Richard Martin and Anth. Rous. The assurance intended to be 
made pursuant to this last licence was probably by way of settlement for 
Robert Rookwood and Dorothy and also Ambrose Rookwood had licence 
to alienate in 1599 * Sir Thomas Carey as trustee. Davy says that Ambrose 
Rookwood was lord 4 Eliz. and Edmund Cooke in 1609 and the same year 
Elizabeth Rookwood widow. The subsequent devolution is not clear. 
It seems, however, pretty certain that Edmund Cooke was lord in 1615, 
for in that year he obtained a licence to alienate " the Manor of Maysters " 
with lands in Preston, Kettlebarston, Thorpe Morieux, Brettenham, 
Brent Eleigh and Lavenham to James Alington. 1 James Alyngton was 
lord in 1615 and on his death in 1626 the manor passed to his nephew and 
heir Sir Giles Alyngton. In 1691 John Dalton was lord, but before 1715 the 
manor was acquired by J ohn Wright for he held his first Court 4 Nov . that year. 
He was succeeded by Joseph Wright who held his first Court 9 Nov. 1741. 
He was succeeded by John Wright who held his first Court 7 Oct. 1784. 
The manor then passed to John Ely Wright who held his first Court 7 
March 1809. The manor then seems to have passed to Thomas Wright 
who died intestate and without issue on the I2th Sept. 1847, when the manor 
passed to his father John Ely Wright as heir at law. By a Settlement 
dated 2 May 1848 and made between the said John Ely Wright of the ist 
part, Joseph Wright of the 2nd part, Henry Wright of the 3rd part, and 
George Richard Pye and Charles Hammond Branwhite the younger of 
the 4th part, the manor was conveyed by John Ely Wright to his sons 
Joseph and Henry to the use that the said John Ely Wright should receive 
during life an annuity of 130 and subject thereto as to one moiety of the 
manor to Joseph Wright and as to the other moiety to Henry Wright in 
fee. John Ely Wright died before the 10 May 1851 and Joseph Wright 
died without issue having by his will left all to his brother Henry who 
held his first Court the 7 June 1854. Henry Wright died seised of the whole 
of the manor the 7 Oct. 1856 when it passed to his son John Ely Wright 
of Preston Manor who is the present lord. 

MORTIMER'S MANOR. 

This manor was vested in Sir William de Mortimer of Attleburgh who 
died in 1297 and passed to his son and heir Sir John de Mortimer, knt., 
who with Alianora his wife settled it in 1333 by assurance to Thomas de 
Ipswich, Vicar of Preston, and Nicholas de Hoo chaplain.' The assurance 
was no doubt by way of settlement as the manor continued in the Mortimer 
family. A daughter of the last named Mortimer seems to have married 
a Ferrars, and a daughter, issue of such marriage, married Robert Cressener 
who died in 1415 seised of this manor and the Manor of Otley . 3 The manor 
then passed to Robert Cressener' s son and heir William Cressener who 
died in 1454,* when it passed to his son and heir Alexander Cressener who 
died in 1498 when it passed to his grandson and heir John Cressener son 
and heir of Sir John Cressener. A fine was levied in 1541 of the manor by 
Henry Payne against the said John Cressener. 5 Amongst the State Papers 
in the time of Henry VIII. is a grant of livery of this manor with other 
manors in Suffolk to this John Cressener. 6 He seems to have been the 
last Cressener holder of the manor for he died in 1556 and before this date 

' Add. MSS. Brit. Mus. 5834. I. P.M.. 32 Hen. VI. 16. 

Feet of Fines, 7 Edw. III. 8. ' Fine, Easter, 33 Hen. VIII. 

I.P.M., 12 Hen. IV. 33. 1542. S.P. 137 (52). 



PRESTON. 189 

we find William Poley who died 31 August this same year 1 seised at 
his death when the manor passed to his son and heir Thomas Poley who 
died about 1558, when it vested in another Thomas Poley who in 1565 sold 
the same to Robert Rookwood 2 who died in 1601 when the manor passed 
to his son and heir Henry Rookwood. 

Davy says that in 1614 Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt had a grant of the manor, 
but gives no subsequent information as to its devolution. Elizabeth Gage 
was, we find, lady of this manor in 1752 and Sir John Gage, Bart., lord in 1774, 
for the 26 July this year he held a Court for the manor. In 1805 Robert Gage 
Rookwood was lord, for on the 22 March this year he held a Court for the 
manor. The manor later passed to the Makins and Thomas Makin was 
lord in 1811. He by his will dated the 2gth Oct. 1834 devised this manor 
to his son William and dying the 22 March 1835 was succeeded by him as 
lord. William Makin died about 1870 and his mortgagees sold the manor 
to John Ely Wright the lord of Maister's Manor, by whom it is now held. 

PRIORY MANOR. 

This manor was passed- by fine from Michael Mendham to William 
de Walsham in 1219, and Thomas de Mendham granted it to the Prior of 
Holy Trinity, Ipswich, who in 1333 had a grant of free warren here. 3 On 
the Patent Rolls for 1335 is a licence for alienation in mortmain to the 
Priory of Holy Trinity by William de Kenteford vicar of the Church of 
Reshemere (Rushmere) of a messuage, 9 acres of land and 2 J acres of pasture 
in Preston. 4 On the suppression of the religious houses this manor 
passed to the Crown and it was granted in 1543 to Andrew Judde, 5 and 
the same year he granted it to Robert Spring second son of Thomas Spring 
of Lavenham and of Anne Apulton his wife. Robert Spring married 
Anne dau. of Thomas Eden of London by whom he had six sons, Thomas 
his son and heir, Nicholas, Jeremye, Robert, John and Stephen, and five 
daughters Elizabeth married to John Jenney of Norf., Dorothy married 
to William Humberston, Mary married to Charles Cleare of Stokesby co. 
Norf., Bridget married to - - Thwaytes of Hardingham co. Norf. and 
Frances married to Robert Ashfelde of Stowlangtoft. Robert Spring died 
on the 20 April 1549* when the manor passed to his son and heir Thomas, 
who on his death the 15 Jan. I556 7 was succeeded by his son and heir 
Robert, who had licence to alienate it to William Prichthorne in 1568, who 
had licence to alienate to Robert Spring son and heir of Thomas. 

Amongst the Chancery Proceedings of the time of Elizabeth is an 
action by John Nevill, Lord Latimer, and another against this Robert 
Spring touching " The Priory " and disputed lands in Preston. 8 Robert 
Spring in 1580 sold to Robert Reyce. In 1609 the manor was vested in 
Sir Robert Jermyn and in 1613 in William Playne, and that year he and 
his wife were called upon to shew title to the site of the Priory. 9 A William 
Hobart presented to the living in 1638 and Jacob Allen somewhat later. 

' I.P.M., 4 and 5 Ph. and M. 48. Pat. Rolls, 9 Edw. III. pt. i. 10. 

Fine, Hil. 7 Eliz. > 35 Hen. VIII., D.K.R. 10. App. ii. p. 

' Chart. Rolls, 7 Edw. III. 38; see I.P.M. 224. 

William de Kenteford for Holy I.P.M., 3 Edw. VI. 141. 

Trinity Priory of Ipswich, 9 Edw. ' I.P.M., 3 and 4 P. and M. 93. 

III. (2nd nos.) 54 ; I.P.M., Wm; C.P. ser. ii. B. cxxxii. 86. 

Vicar of Rushmere, and Hamo ' Memoranda, ii Jac. I., Trin. Rec. Rot; 

Dyke de Wydekesho for Holy 236. 

Trinity Priory, 15 Edw. III. 54. 



igo 



THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



In 1836 the manor was vested in John Green, at whose death it passed to 
his son Edward Green, at whose death it passed to a distant relative Maud 
Sach, whose mortgagees sold to William Bantock of Preston, but the manor 
is extinct. 




PRESTON HALL. 




SHIMPLING. 191 

SHIMPLING. 

N the time of Edward the Confessor Ailith a free woman held 

6 carucates and a half of land as a manor. There were 
then 9 villeins, 12 bordars, 3 slaves, 4 ploughteams in demesne, 

7 belonging to the men, wood for 100 hogs, 17 acres of 
meadow, 4 horses, 7 beasts, 60 hogs, 80 sheep, and 16 goats. 
Also a church living with 60 acres of free land and i bordar, 
i ploughteam and half an acre of meadow. The whole was 

then valued at 10 pounds, but by the time of the Great Survey the value 
was assessed at 12 pounds, and there had been various changes. The 
villeins had risen to 12, the bordars to 16, while the slaves had dis- 
appeared altogether. There was a ploughteam less in demesne and one 
of those belonging to the men had gone, while the 7 beasts had come down 
to 6 and the 60 hogs to 33. On the other hand there was one more horse, 
20 more sheep, and 8 more goats. The manor was a league long and half 
a league broad and paid in a gelt 15^. 

The Domesday tenant in chief was Ralph Bainard. 1 

Another manor in Shimpling of considerable size was held in the 
Confessor's day by Uluric one of his thanes. He had 5 carucates with 5 
villeins, 4 bordars, 6 slaves, 3 ploughteams in demesne and 3 belonging to 
the men, wood for 8 hogs, 10 acres of meadow, i horse, 14 beasts, 40 hogs 
and 120 sheep. Also a church living with 30 acres. 

By the time of the Domesday Survey the villeins were reduced to 3 
but the bordars had increased to 10. There was a ploughteam less in 
demesne, 8 fewer beasts, 16 hogs less and 20 sheep. Also under this Uluric 
there were 5 freemen by commendation and the Abbot then had soc and 
sac. They held a carucate of land, i bordar, i slave, 2 ploughteams and 2 
acres of land valued at 9 pounds. This manor was a league long and half 
a league broad and paid in a gelt tjd. The Domesday tenant in chief was 
the Countess of Albamarle. 2 

Bainard also held a freeman who had been in Saxon times under 
Ailith by commendation in the Abbot of St. Edmund's soc with 30 acres, 
i bordar, i ploughteam and i acre and a half of meadow valued at 10 
shillings. 3 

SHIMPLING MANOR. 

Ralph Bainard the holder of the main manor was a powerful baron 
who had come over with the Conqueror. He was lord of Castle Bainard 
in London and of the barony of that castle. By virtue of this barony he 
occupied the post of hereditary standard-bearer of London. Bainard 
Castle seems to have been situate in Thames Street in the City of London, 
though some assert that the castle and the Tower of London are the same, 
and the office Ralph held was virtually that of Constable of the Tower of 
London. From Ralph the lordship passed to his son and heir Jeffrey by 
Juga his wife, 4 and from him to his son and heir William Bainard who in the 
reign of Hen. I. forfeited the lordship with his barony by joining with 
Helias, Earl of Mayne and others in a rebellion against his sovereign. The 
King granted the Honor of Bainard' s Castle to Robert Fitz Walter and 

1 Dom. ii. 4156. 4 He is not unlikely the Bainard Godo- 

' Dom. ii. 4306. fridus mentioned as one of the 

' Dom. ii. 4156; Domesday sub-tenants. 



192 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

when his great grandson Sir Robert Fitz Walter granted Bainard's Castle 
to Robert Kilwardby the Archbishop of Canterbury he was careful to 
preserve the immunities of this barony. Those appertaining to Bainard's 
Castle are specified as follows : " That the said Robert, as constable of the 
Castle of London, and his heirs ought to be banner-bearers of that city, 
by inheritance, as belonging to that castle ; and in time of war, to serve 
the city in the manner following, viz., to ride upon a light horse, with twenty 
men-at-arms on horseback, their horses covered with cloth or harness, 
unto the great door of St. Paul's Church, with the banner of his arms carried 
before him ; and being come in that manner thither, the mayor of London, 
together with the sheriffs and aldermen, to issue armed out of the church, 
unto the same door, on foot, with his banner in his hand, having the figure 
of St. Paul depicted with gold thereon, but the feet, hands and head of silver, 
holding a silver sword in his hand ; and as soon as he shall see the mayor, 
sheriffs, and aldermen come on foot out of the church carrying such a 
banner, he is to alight from his horse, and salute him as his companion, 
saying, Sir mayor, I am obliged to come hither to do my service, which I 
owe to this city. To whom the mayor, sheriffs, and aldermen are to answer : 
We give to you, as our banner-bearer by inheritance for this city, this 
banner of the city, to bear and carry to the honour and profit thereof to 
your power. Whereupon the said Robert and his heirs shall receive it 
into their hands, and the mayor and sheriffs shall follow him to the door, 
and present him with a horse worth twenty pounds ; which horse shall be 
saddled with a saddle of his arms, and covered with silk depicted, like- 
wise, with the same arms ; and they shall take twenty pounds sterling and 
deliver it to the chamberlain of the said Robert for his expenses that day. 

This being done, he shall mount upon that horse, with his banner in 
his hand, and being so mounted shall bid the mayor to choose a marshal 
for the city army ; who, being so chosen, shall command the mayor and 
burgers of the city to assemble the commons, who shall go under this banner 
of St. Paul, which he shall bear to Aldgate ; and being come hither they 
shall give it to whom they shall think fit. 

And if it shall so happen that they must march out of the city, then 
shall the said Robert make choice of two of the gravest men out of every 
ward to guard the city in their absence, and their consultation shall be 
in the priory of the Holy Trinity near Aldgate ; and before what town or 
castle this city army shall come, and shall continue the siege for one whole 
year, this Robert shall receive from the commonalty of the city one 
hundred shillings for his pains and no more. Those were his rights and 
privileges in the time of war ; in time of peace they were these : That the 
said Robert should have a soc in the same city, extending from the canonry 
of St. Paul's, along the street before Paul's brewhouse, unto the Thames, 
and thence to the side of the mill which is in the water that comes down 
from Fleet Bridge, and thence up to London-wall, all about the Black- 
friars unto Ludgate, and so back to the house of the said friars, to the corner 
of the wall of the same canonry of St. Paul's ; that is, all St. Andrew's 
parish, which was the gift of his ancestors for that royalty. 

In this soc the said Robert should have the nomination of a socman 
who should possess certain privileges in the trial and execution of 
criminals. 

Moreover, the said Robert was to enjoy as extensive privileges in the 
city as the mayor and citizens ; and when the mayor held a great council, 



SHIMPLING. 193 

he was to be summoned thereto ; and at all times that he came to the 
hustings in Guildhall, the mayor was to rise and to place him next to him- 
self." 1 

Robert Mantel of Essex next had a grant of the manor for life only, 
but nevertheless it seems to have passed to his daughter and heir Petronilla 
who married Sir Fulk Bainard the son of Sir Robert Bainard, son of Ralph 
Bainard who was second son of Ralph Bainard the Domesday tenant. 

In 1303 the manor was held by Robert Fitz Walter who had a right of 
gallows and free warren here. 2 

We find this year, too, a grant on the Patent Rolls to this Robert 
son of Walter stated to be the King's kinsman, in consideration of the 
expenses incurred in the King's service, that if he leave an heir a minor 
the executors of this Robert may have the custody of this manor which 
was held in chief. 3 There is a like grant limited to 4 years on the Patent 
Rolls in I3I3- 4 In 1306 this Robert was authorised to grant for life to 
Adam de Waldingfield part of his park of Shimpling called "Genteshyrn" 
and for the grantee to enclose. 5 An Inquisition the same year discloses 
the fact that the amount passing was 40 acres and the park is therein called 
" Gentesherne." 6 The licence to Adam de Waldingfield to enter appears 
on the Originalia rolls this year. 7 

The arrangement does not seem to have worked very amicably, for 
the next year we find a commission issued on complaint of Robert 
that Adam de Waldingfeld felled his trees and fished in his ponds at 
Shimpling. 8 A licence was granted to Robert Fitz Walter to alienate 
the manor in 1315.' Robert died in 1325' when the manor passed to his 
son and heir Robert Fitz-Walter, and on his death in 1328" passed in dower 
to his widow Joan daughter and coheir of John de Moulton and Egremond. 
There is an order on the Close Rolls in 1328 to deliver to this Joan in dower 
a moiety of a fee in Shimpling held by Stephen de Sidolfismere of the yearly 
value of los. and a moiety of another fee in the same place which John de 
Luton and John Tristrem held of the yearly rent of 405.," and also to deliver 
to her the manor assigned to her in dower of the yearly value of 33. ys. ojd.,' 3 
and also Shimpling Church of the yearly value of io.' 4 

Joan survived till 1362 when Walter Fitz Walter her grandson made 
proof of his age and had livery of all his lands. He was the son of John 
Fitz Walter 3rd baron and Eleanor his wife daughter of Henry Lord Percy. 
In the Inquis. p.m. of Joan Lady de Egremond described as "wife of John 
Fitzwauter, one of the daughters and heirs of John de Multon" in 1363, an 
item of 355. for service to guardianship of Baynard Castle appears.' 5 

Walter Fitz Walter was a valiant soldier and served with distinction 
in the expedition into Gascony of Edw. III. in 1370. During the campaign 
he was taken prisoner, and was forced to mortgage his castle of Egremond 
for a thousand pounds in order to effect his ransom. In 1373 he was 
again in France under John of Gaunt, and in the succeeding reign served 
with Thomas of Woodstock against the Spaniards, and later took an active 

Burke's Extinct Peerage 1831, p. 209. ' I.Q.D., 9 Edw. II. 181. 

H.R. ii. 143, 153, 142, 150. I0 Extent. I. P.M., 19 Edw. II. 99. 



~~T*J> JJt *T** *-J vt 

Pat. Rolls, 31 Edw. I. 14 ; 35 Edw. 1. 10. 

Pat. Rolls, 7 Edw. II. pt. i. 13. 

Pat. Rolls, 34 Edw. I. 37. 

I. P.M., 34 Edw. I. 8oa. 

O., 34 Edw. I. Ri. 7. 

Pat. Rolls, i Edw. II. pt. i. 



I. P.M., 2 Edw. III. 59. 
Close Rolls, 2 Edw. III. 7. 
Close Rolls, 2 Edw. III. 19. 
Close Rolls, 2 Edw. III. 7. 
I.P.M., 37 Edw. III. 26. 



194 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

part in suppressing the insurrection of Jack Straw. Perhaps his most 
notable successes were in the expedition into Spain in 1385 with John Duke 
of Lancaster when he stormed the forts raised against the castle of Brest in 
Brittany and relieved by his valour that fortress then closely besieged. 
He married ist Eleanor, by whom he had no issue, and 2ndly Philippa 
daughter and coheir of John de Mohun Lord of Demster and widow of 
Edward Duke of York and dying in 1386' the manor passed to or rather was 
granted to his widow Philippa in dower.* She survived her son Walter 
Fitz Walter 5th baron, who died in 1407, but who was nevertheless called 
on in 1405 to show by what services he held the manor. 3 Philippa also 
survived her grandson Humphrey who died in 1422, but herself dying in 1432, 4 
the manor passed to her grandson Walter Fitz Walter 7th baron, the son of 
her son Walter by Joane daughter of Sir John Devereux and sister and heir 
of John 2nd Baron Devereux. The 7th baron distinguished himself in the 
French wars under Hen. V. and died also in 1432,* when the manor passed 
to his widow Elizabeth. 6 

She died in 1463' leaving two daughters, Anne wife of Thomas Ratcliff e 
who died without issue and Elizabeth who was married to Sir John 
Ratcliffe, K.G., brother of the said Thomas, carrying the barony of Fitz 
Walter into that family. Sir John was a distinguished soldier. He was 
Governor of Trounsak in Aguitaine and had a thousand marks per annum 
allowed to him for his guard thereof. In the reign of Hen. VI. he was retained 
by that monarch as seneschal of that duchy, having an assignation of four 
shillings per day for his own salary and twenty marks a piece per annum 
for two hundred archers. He was killed at Ferrybridge in 1461 and the 
manor passed to his son and heir Sir John Ratcliffe who in right of his 
mother was summoned to Parliament in 1485 as Baron Fitz Walter. At the 
coronation of the King's Consort Queen Elizabeth he was associated with 
Joseph Tudor Duke of Bedford in performing the duties of High Steward 
of England, but being implicated in the conspiracy in favour of Perkin 
Warbeck he was attainted of high treason, and being carried prisoner to 
Calais, notwithstanding an attempted escape by the corruption of his 
guardians, he was beheaded in 1495. 

His son and heir Robert Ratcliffe was restored in blood, honour and estates 
by Act of Parliament i Hen. VIII. and attended that monarch in his great 
expedition to Therouene and Tournay and commanded the van of the army 
sent 10 years later into France under the Earl of Surrey when for his services 
he was created Viscount Fitz Walter. He was one of the peers signing the 
articles against Wolsey, and subsequently became a K.G. and on the 28 Dec. 
1529 Earl of Sussex. This nobleman attained a special patent to himself 
and his heirs male of the office of Server at the time of dinner upon the 
coronation day of all future Kings and Queens of England with a fee of 
twenty pounds per annum out of the Exchequer, and was on the attainder 
of Thomas Cromwell constituted Lord High Chamberlain of England for 
life. He married ist Elizabeth daughter of Henry Duke of Buckingham and 
a fine was levied of the manor in 1512, no doubt byway of settlement, by 
Robert Duke of Buckingham and others against the said Sir Robert Ratcliffe 
and Elizabeth his wife, as also of a moiety of the manor of Thurstanton. 8 

' I.P.M., 10 Rich. II. 15. * I.P.M., 16 Hen. VI. 46. 

Pat. Rolls, 10 Rich. II. pt. ii. 18. * Livery of Manor, D.K.R. 48. App. p. 287. 
Memoranda Rolls, 6 Hen. IV. Mich. Rec. ' I.P.M., 4 Edw. IV. 37. 

Rot. i. ' Fine, Trin. 4 Hen. VIII. 

I.P.M., 16 Hen. VI. 45. 



SHIMPLING. 



195 



Sir Robert Ratcliffe married 2ndly Lady Margaret Stanley daughter of 
Thomas Earl of Derby, and 3rdly Mary daughter of Sir John Arundel 
of Lanherne, Cornwall, and died in 1542, when he was succeeded by 
his son and heir Sir Henry Ratcliffe 3rd Lord Fitz Walter and 2nd Earl of 
Sussex. 

He was engaged in the expedition into Scotland in 1547, and was one 
of the first to declare for Queen Mary on the decease of Edw. VI. He 
was rewarded accordingly, being made warden and Chief Justice itinerant 
of all the forests south of the Trent and created a K.G. He married Lady 
Elizabeth Howard daughter of Thomas Duke of Norfolk, and dying the 17 
Feb. 1556 was succeeded by her eldest son Sir Thomas Ratcliffe 4th Lord 
Fitz Walter and 3rd Earl of Sussex. In the lifetime of his father he had 
been employed in some important and delicate diplomatic missions. He was 
the ambassador chosen by Queen Mary to send to the Emperor Charles V. 
to treat of a marriage between herself and Prince Philip the Emperor's 
eldest son, and afterwards to proceed to the Court of Spain to the prince 
himself to obtain a ratification of the treaty. His lordship was one of those 
fortunate courtiers who retained the confidence of the succeeding sovereign, 
and he was confirmed in the office of Deputy of Ireland, and in 1561 con- 
stituted Lord Lieutenant of that kingdom. To him was intrusted the 
negotiations for the matrimonial alliance between Queen Elizabeth and the 
Archduke Charles of Austria and later to treat as to a marriage between 
his sovereign and the Duke of Anjou. He married ist Lady Elizabeth 
Wriothesley daughter of Thomas Earl of Southampton by whom he had two 
sons Henry and Robert who died young, and 2ndly Frances daughter of Sir 
William Sidney knt. sister of Sir Henry Sidney knt. but had no issue, and 
dying in 1583 was succeeded by his brother Henry Ratcliffe 5th Lord Fitz 
Walter and 4th Earl of Sussex. 

The manor was sold by Robert Earl of Sussex in 1601 to John Snelling 
of Boxford co-founder of the Royal School there. 1 There is amongst the 
State Papers a grant in 1616 of Shimpling Park for 21 years to John Taylor. 2 
John Snelling died in 1619, when the manor seems to have passed to his 
daughter and heir Anne married to John Duke. They sold to Frances 
Bacon and others, and in 1622 Simon Wells, D.D., rector of Brockley was 
lord. In 1636 the manor had passed to William Wells clerk. In 1640 we 
find amongst the State Papers a lease of tenements and manorial rights of 
Shimpling Park made by the Queen to William Crofts, 3 and a further lease 
to the same in 1643 . 4 A Parliamentary Survey of Shimpling Park made in 
1650 is in the Public Record Office. 5 The manor passed in 1655 to 
James Cobbes of St. Edmunds Bury for he held his first Court Baron for the 
manor Oct. 22, 1655. He married ist Dorothea dau. of Thomas Oliver, and 
2ndly Martha one of the daughters of William Barnes of East Winch in 
Norfolk and widow of Edmund Isty of Bury St. Edmund. He died in 
1685 and was interred in Great Saxham Church on the 7th June. The 
Harveys of Cockfield subsequently held the manor, and from them it passed to 
the Aspin and Acton families, of whom it was purchased by Robert Plampin 
who held in 1764. On his death the manor passed to John Plampin, who 
dying in 1805 it passed to his son and heir the Rev. John Plampin, who dying 
in 1823 it was sold by his trustees to Thomas Halifax who was High 

1 Fine, Mich. 43, 44 Eliz. 4 State Papers, 1643, p. 378. 

State Papers, 1616, 414. 5 D.K.R. 8. App. ii. p. 67. 

3 State Papers, 1640-41, p. 48. 



196 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Sheriff of the County in 1838.' On his death in 1850 the manor passed to 
the Misses Halifax. The manor was acquired by Jerom Murch of Cranwells 
in the parish of Weston in the County of Somerset, and passed under his 
will to his only son Denis Jerom Murch who by a conveyance dated the 7th 
October, 1898 conveyed the same to Henry Edwards Paine and Richard 
Brettell both of Chertsey in the County of Surrey, and on the death of the 
said Richard Brettell the manor devolved wholly upon and is now vested in 
the said Henry Edwards Paine. 

There is an Inquisition post mortem take.i at Henhow respecting this 
manor amongst the Lansdowne MSS. in the Brit. Mus. 1 An appointment 
of a bailiff of the manor in 1438 will be found among the Harleian Charters 3 
in the Brit. Mus. An assignment of the life interest of Queen Catherine 
of Breganza in 1680 in Shimpling Park is amongst the same Charters, 4 and 
an abstract of a deed relating to the Park is amongst the Additional MSS. 
in the National Collection. 5 

CHADACRE OR CHARDACRE HALL MANOR, GIFFORD'S AND BOXSTEAD'S. 

This manor was held in King Edward the Confessor's time by the 
before-mentioned Uluric the thane with i carucate of land. There was i 
villein and there were 3 bordars and 2 slaves, 2 ploughteams in demesne 
and i belonging to the men, 3 acres of meadow valued at 60 shillings. It 
wa=; 4 quarantenes long and 2 broad and paid in a gelt 2%d. The Domesday 
tenant in chief was the Countess of Albemarle. 6 There has been con- 
siderable discussion as to who this countess was, and the whole matter is 
treated by Mr. Planch in his work " The Conqueror and his Companions." 
She was Adelaide daur. of Adelaide sister of theConqueror and wife of Enguer- 
rand or Ingleram, Sire d'Aumale in right of his mother. After the death of 
Ingleram his widow married 2ndly Lambert Count of Leus in Artois brother of 
Eustace II. Count of Boulogne and had by him a daughter named Judith 
whose hand was given by her uncle William the Conqueror to Waltheof 
Earl of Northumberland. Count Lambert was killed at Lille in a battle 
between Baldwin Count of Flanders and the Emperor Henry III., and his 
widow married 3rdly Odo of Champagne by whom she was the mother of 
Stephen who on the death of his elder half-sister Adelaide became the first 
Comte d'Aumale or Earl of Albemarle, the Seigneurie having been made a 
comte by King William. The late Mr. Freeman fell into the singular error 
of making Odo the husband of the younger Adelaide. The Conqueror's sister, 
the first Countess of Albemarle, probably died before 1085. Her daughter 
Adelaide succeeded to this manor and on her death without issue in 1096 
the manor passed to the above named Stephen Earl of Albemarle who died 
in 1126. In 1301 William de la Lee and Beatrice his wife levied a fine of 
the manor against John son of Walter de Barnham and Maria his wife. 8 
and the following year the said William de la Lee had a grant of free warren 
in Chadacre.' In 1328 William de la Lee having died and Beatrice his 
widow holding the manor for life a fine was levied by John de la Lee and 

1 The property was offered for sale at the ' Lansd. 229, 112. 

Six Bells Inn, Bury St. Edmunds, ' Harl. 48 F. 24. 

Sept. 17 1823. in six lots, and con- 4 Harl. in H. n. 

sisted of the mansion called Chad- ' Add. 34741. 

acre Hall, with the manors, coverts, * Dom. ii. 4306. 

farm - houses, cottages, woods, ' London, 1874, 2 vols. 8vo, vol. i p. 118 
meadows, pasture grounds, and to 126. 

arable lands, consisting of 568 acres " Feet of Fines, 29 Edw. I. 36. 

I rood and 18 perches. Chart. Rolls, 31 Edw. I. 8, 18. 



SHIMPLING. 197 

Petronella his wife against John Tristrem of Shimpling and Ralph de 
Rerisby of the same.' In 1408 a fine was levied of " Giffardes and Wode- 
house " Manors by John Durward of Bokkyng, Richard Baynard, John 
Rookwode,Geoff rey Michel, Ralph Chaumberlayn, and Richard Walton against 
Henry Hunt and Alice his wife with appurtenances situate in Shimpling, 
Stansted, Boxsted, Melford and Glemsford, 2 and John son of William Dore- 
ward, Robert de Taye and others feoffees granted this manor called Giffords 
in 1418 to Robert Hunter and Katherine his wife. A little later John de 
Harleston was lord. He was of the ancient family of Harleston and descended 
from the noted Sir John Herolveston so often mentioned in our early English 
chronicles for his martial exploits in the time of Rich. II. He wa followed 
by his son and heir John de Harleston who held part of Giffords and died in 
I 457 3 when he was succeeded by his son and heir John Harleston who dying 
without issue in 1459 was succeeded by his uncle Robert Harleston who 
forfeited the manor in 1475,* which includes tenements called " Chadaker- 
hall, Revelis and Gyffardes." The manor was the same year granted to Sir 
William Stanley. The grant is on the Patent Rolls, and is to William 
Stanley and the heirs male of his body of a messuage called " Chadakerhall," 
and a tenement annexed to it called "Reules" in Shimpling, a tenement 
called " Gyffardes " in Shimpling, Standen and Boxstedes, two tenements 
called ' ' Cokes " and ' ' Valauntes " in Hertest and a tenement called " Box- 
stedes " in Boxsted, &c. 5 Robert Harleston was restored in blood and 
estate by Act of Parliament in I485. 6 On the opening of the i6th cent., 
however the manor is not found to be any longer in the Harleston family, 
but a moiety vested in Sir Roger Darcy the son of Thomas Darcy and 
Margaret his wife sister and coheir of John Harleston who died as mentioned 
above without issue in 1459. Sir Roger Darcy who was Esquire of the 
body to Henry VII. married Elizabeth daughter of Sir Henry Wentworth 
knt. and dying the 3 Sept. I5O7 7 the manor passed to his son and heir Sir 
Thomas Darcy who was one of the masters of the King's Artillery in the 
Tower of London, and a gentleman of the privy chamber. In 1542 he 
evidently obtained the other moiety of the manor by virtue of a fine levied 
against Sir John Mordaunt and Ela his wife. 8 Of this moiety Richard 
Fitz Lewis had died seised the 12 July 1529, having held in right of his 
wife Alice Harleston dau. of John and sister and coheir of John Harleston 
Richard Fitz Lewis had left a son John whose daughter Ela had married 
Sir John Mordaunt. 9 This manor had been included in a fine levied in 1525 
by Sir John Bourchier and others against Clement A. Harleston. 10 In 1551 
being then Vice Chamberlain of the King's household, captain of the guard 
and one of the principal knights of the privy chamber Sir Thomas Darcy 
was advanced to the peerage as Baron Darcy of Chiche in the County of 
Essex and made a K.G. A fine was levied of the manor in 1553 by John 
Cutler against the said Thomas Lord Darcy." He married Elizabeth de 
Vere daughter of John Earl of Oxford and dying in 1558 was succeeded in 
the lordship of this manor by his eldest son John 2nd Lord Darcy. He 
accompanied William Earl of Essex into Ireland in 1574, and married 
Frances daughter of Richard Lord Rich, Lord Chancellor of England. 

1 Feet of Fines, 2 Edw. III. 30. ' I.P.M., 24 Hen. VII. 80. 

Feet of Fines, 9 Hen. IV. 40. ' Fine, Hil. 34 Hen. VIII. 

3 I.P.M., 36 Hen. VI. 13. I.P.M., 21 Hen. VIII. 122. 

4 R.P. vi. 1446 ; I.P.M., 15 Edw. IV. 49. ' Fine, Trin. 17 Hen. VIII. 

5 Pat. Rolls, 15 Ed.v. IV. pt. iii. 16. " Fine, Mich, i Mary. 

6 R.P. vi. 2816. 



198 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

How long the manor continued in this family is not certain. In 1764 
the manor was vested in Robert Plampin, and the subsequent devolution 
is the same as the main manor. 

ROWHEADS al. ROUSHEDGES MANOR. 

It is not clear whether this was a manor or a free tenement only. An 
Inquisition in the 3rd year of Hen. VII. [1487] states it to be a tenement 
called " Rowheddes al. Trystrams " in Shimpling and Alpheton held of Lord 
John Fitz Walter as of the Manor of Shimpling by fealty and 35. rent. It 
is found that trustees were seised of this tenement to the use of Thomas 
Spryng who died the 28 Sept. 1486, and that Thomas Spryng aged 30 years 
was his son and heir.' In subsequent times however it is frequently referred 
to as a manor. Thomas Spring called the " Rich Clothier of Lavenham " 
was the Spring who built two chapels in Lavenham Church and a good part 
of the steeple. He died in 1523, when the manor passed to his son and heir 
Sir John Spring.' Three years before his death he disposed of the manor to 
his brother Robert Spring 3 who married Ann daughter of Thomas Eden of 
London and died seised the 2Oth April 1549' when it passed to his son and 
heir Thomas Spring then 30 years of age. Thomas Spring married ist 
Julian d. and h. of John Fayrye who died Sheriff of London, and 2ndly a 
daughter of Appleton of Waldlngfield, and according to the Davy MSS. 
held this manor being succeeded by his son and heir Robert Spring. It 
seems pretty clear however that the manor did not pass to this last Robert 
Spring, for before the year 1575 it had vested in Stephen Spring 6th son 
of Robert Spring and came to him either on the death of his father 
Robert in 1549 or f ms brother Thomas, for in this year 1575 Stephen 
disposed of the manor to Sir William Cordell. 5 No doubt the sale was made 
as Stephen Spring had an only daughter as heir, Elizabeth married to George 
Kempe of Swasye in Cambridgeshire. 

Arms of Harleston : Argent, a fesse erm. double cotised sab. 

A " Shimpling Manor " is included in a fine levied in 1569 by William 
Waldegrave, John Heigham and others against Elizabeth Drurie widow and 
others." 



1 Inquis. 3 Hen. VII. 234. ' Fine, Trin. 35 Hen. VIII. 

' See Netherhall Manor, Little Walding- ' I.P.M., 3 Edw. VI. 141. 

field, in this Hundred, and Manor of * Fines, Easter and Trin., 17 Eliz. 

Pakenham in Thedwestry Hundred. * Fine, Easter, II Eliz. 




SOMERTON. 199 



SOMERTON. 

HE manor was held in Edward the Confessor's day by Stakker 
and consisted of i carucate of land in the Abbot of St. 
Edmund's soc. There were 2 bordars, 4 slaves, 2 plough- 
teams in demesne, 3 acres and a half of meadow, 15 hogs and 
60 sheep valued at 30 shillings. By the time of the Great 
Survey the value had risen to 40 shillings. The only addition 
in the details consisted of 10 beasts and 5 goats, while the 
ploughteams were reduced by half, the slaves by 3, the hogs by 7 and the 
sheep by 10. Robert son of Corbuzzo was the Domesday tenant in chief. 1 
The only other important holding in this place, though not either in Saxon 
times or at the period of the Domesday Survey held as a manor, was that of 
the Abbot of Bury and which Frodo held of him, namely one carucate of 
land, i villein, 5 bordars accustomed to plough with 3 teams and valued at 
43 shillings less 4^. This land King William gave to the Abbey with soc 
and commendation and all custom. The length was 6 quarantenes and the 
breadth 4 and it paid in a gelt $d. Also the Abbot had a freeman with 
30^ acres which in the time of the Great Survey Frodo too held of the 
Abbot and the value was 2 shillings. 2 

SOMERTON MANOR. 

The main manor was held, as we see, by Robert Fitz Corbutio or Cor- 
buzzo. He was one of the three sons of Corbuzzo, Chamberlain to William 
the Conqueror in Normandy, one of whose duties was to find rushes for the 
Duke's bedchamber and a bed of down. The manor was granted in the 
time of Richard the First to Richard Nevill. 3 In 1205 Thomas de Burgo 
was lord, and in 1240 another Thomas de Burgo who is stated to have held 
the fourth of a fee. In 1274 we find yet another Thomas de Burgo lord 
and he in this year gave the ninth sheaf of all his demesne lands in this 
manor and Burgh in Cambridge, and had in exchange the advowson 
of the parish Church of Somerton, which the Prior of the Augustine Canons 
in Thetford conveyed to him. In 1334 a John Multon de Egremont was lord 4 
and in 1360 John de Burgh held half a fee of the Earl of Oxford, and he 
was succeeded by his son Sir Thomas de Burgh who died leaving his sister 
and coheir Elizabeth married to Sir John de Ingaldesthorp or IngoJdes- 
thorp son and heir of Sir William de Ingoldesthorp. Sir John died seised 
of the manor in I42O, 5 leaving Elizabeth his widow who died the following 
year. Sir John de Ingoldesthorp's will is dated Thursday next after All 
Saints in 1419, and in it he names Elizabeth his wife, Sir John Colvile, Sir 
William Assonhull, knts., and William AUington his executors. The will was 
proved June 8th 1420. He gave legacies to the churches of Reinham,Tilney, 
Emseth, Ingaldesthorp, and Ingtesham in Norfolk, to Swaffham Bulbeck, 
Burgh, &c.,in Cambridgeshire, and 2O/. to the chantry of Burgh; of all which 
manors he was possessed, with that of Frenge in Norfolk, and Somerton in 
Suffolk, and was buried according to his desire, in the chancel of Burgh in Cam- 
bridgeshire, where on the north side he has a stately monument with the statue 
of himself (and lady) in complete armour. Blomefield mentions that he 
has seen a note of Le Neve's Norroy at Arms, where he says, "About his neck 

' Dom. ii. 4256. 4 I.P.M., 8 Edw. III. 13. 

Dom. ii. 3596, 360. 5 I.P.M., 8 Hen. V. 49. 

3 Bodl. 4167. 



200 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

is a collar though more like a garter, with the buckle put pendant in the 
top of his forehead above the garter," adding, " This is an odd description 
of Le Neve's, and seems rather to be a chaplet, as was usual in that age." 
The will of Elizabeth Sir John's widow is dated Thursday next before the 
feast of St. Edmund King and Martyr, 1421, proved Feb. 12 following. 
By it she appoints Sir Walter de la Pole, Sir John Col vile, Sir William 
Assonhull knts., Thomas Ingoldesthorp, Henry Noffingham, and John 
Crane her executors, bequeathing to Thomas her son a bed in white and red, 
to Alianore her daughter a black mantle, to Margaret Ingoldesthorpe a 
testour, to the Lady Margaret Zouche her sister a gold chain ; Dame 
Joan Assonhull wife of Sir William was also her sister. She was buried 
by her husband at Burgh. 

Thomas Ingoldesthorp was but 19 years of age at his father's death and 
the custody and wardship was granted to his mother. He married Margaret 
daughter and heir of Sir Walter de la Pole lord of Sanston in Cambridge and 
nephew of Michael de la Pole Earl of Suffolk. Thomas died under age in 
1422.' His will bears date January 14 in the same year, and by it he 
orders all his goods to be disposed of by Sir Robert Clifton and Thomas 
Sorrel his executors. The will was proved May 22, 1422, and the testator 
was buried in the church of Burgh. Margaret his widow had in the same 
year licence to remarry from the King, and also an assignment of dower 
and died soon after in 1426, leaving Edmund de Ingoldesthorp her son 
and heir aged 5 years. He married Joan 2nd daur. of John Tiptoft Lord 
Powis and sister to John Earl of Worcester. 

The will of Sir Edmund de Ingoldesthorp is dated August 4, 1456 and 
in it he appoints Joan his wife, Sir John Prisot knt., Chief Justice of the 
Common Pleas, Laurence Cheyney and Thomas Lockton his executors, 
and gives to his wife the manors of Kenwick in Tilney and of Frenge in 
Norfolk, Burgh, Meldreth, and Alvitheley for life, after to Isabel his daughter, 
and for default of her issue to John Earl of Worcester, Lord Tiptoft and 
Powis to be sold to pray for the souls of Sir John Ingaldesthorp, Thomas 
Ingaldesthorp, his own, and that of Sir Walter de la Pole. He died seised 
of this manor the 2nd September 1456." 

He was buried in the midst of the chancel of Burgh Church where a 
sumptuous monument was erected to his memory, with his portraiture in 
brass, and in armour, his head (without a helmet) resting on a bull's 
head, couped, in a coronet. The inscription, or rather a fragment of it is 
given by Blomefield, who says it is " for the most part broke off, and seems 
to have been in rude rhyming verse, according to the taste of the age." 

Uxorem comitis de Wyrceter ipse sororem, 

Anno milleno quater x. c. x. quoq. ; seno : 
Eccle dies bina Septembris quando aniina 
Militis hujus erat . 

In 1460 Sir John Prisot one of his executors had licence dated December 
5, 39 Hen. VI. to found a chantry in the church of Burgh for the said Sir 
Edmund, Sir Thomas his father, and Sir John his grandfather, Sir John de 
Burgh and Catherine his wife. The Lady Joan widow of Sir Edmund 
married Thomas Grey younger son of John Lord Grey de Ruthyn and 
brother to Edward Grey the first Earl of Kent. This Thomas was created 
Lord Grey of Rugemont in Bedfordshire on the death of Edward Tiptoft 
Earl of Worcester who died a minor in the 3rd year of Richard III. She 

1 I.P.M., i Hen. VI. 46. " I.P.M., 35 Hen. VI 20.- 



SOMERTON. 201 

with her two sisters Philippa, who married Thomas Lord Roos of Hamlake, 
and Joyce who married Edmund eldest son of John Lord Dudley, were 
found to be his aunts and coheirs. She died on the 2ist June 1494.' 

It seems that Edmund de Ingoldesthorp left two daurs. only, Isabel 
and Joan. Joan must have died without issue for the manor went to the 
issue of Isabel. She married Sir John Nevill 3rd son of Richard Nevill, 
Earl of Salisbury by the Lady Alice Montacute dau. and heir of Thomas 
Montacute Earl of Salisbury. He was created Baron Nevill of Montague 
by K. Hen. VI. in 1460, and after espousing, with his father and elder 
brother Richard the celebrated Earl of Warwick, the cause of the House of 
York, he was advanced by Edward IV. on his accession to the throne 
to the dignity of Earl of Northumberland. He received considerable 
grants in Norfolk and Suffolk out of forfeited lands in consideration for his 
services under the Duke of Somerset when he defeated the Lancasterians at 
Hexham ; but on the subsequent restoration of Percy he relinquished the 
title of Northumberland receiving in lieu that of Marquess of Montagu. 2 
Leland says that the King suspecting the fidelity of Sir John Nevill privately 
incited the people of the north to desire the restoration of young Henry 
Percy knowing his interest there, whereby he might be an important 
opposing factor to Nevill, and that to save his outward enmity when he 
resigned the Earldom of Northumberland he was created Marquis of 
Montagu. The bait however did not prove effectual, for on the revolt of 
Richard Earl of Warwick, his brother (who had an irreconciliable hatred to 
King Edward,) the Lord Montagu having collected together 6,000 men in 
King Edward's name joined the Earl, telling them that the King having 
restored Percy to the Earldom of Northumberland, and giving him the 
title of Marquis Montagu, was only giving him a Pie's nest, and therefore 
he would take part with his brother. He fell with his celebrated brother at 
the Battle of Barnet 14 April 1471, and both were attainted. He left 
issue by Isabel: i George who was created Duke of Bedford in 1469 by 
Edward IV. when he contemplated marrying him to his eldest daughter 
the Lady Elizabeth Plantagenet ; but after the attainder of his father 
he was degraded of all his dignities and honours by Parliament in 1477, 
and died without issue at Sheriff's Honton in Yorkshire in 1485 ; 2 John, 
who died without issue in 1480 and was buried at Sanston in Cambridge- 
shire ; 3 Anne wife of Sir Wm. Stoner knt. of Oxfordshire; 4 Elizabeth 
wife ist of Thomas Lord Scrope of Upsall and 2ndly of Sir Henry 
Wentworth of Nettlestead; 5 Margaret, wife ist of Sir John Mortimer 
of Essex and 2ndly of Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk from whom 
she was divorced, and 3rdly of Robert Downes; 6 Lucy wife ist of 
Sir Thomas Fitz Williams of Aldwarke in Yorkshire knt., and 2ndly 
of Sir Anthony Browne knt. Standard-bearer of England ; and 7 Isabel, 
wife of Sir William Huddleston knt. of Salston. 

In the Inquis. p.m. 9 Hen. VII. it is stated that the manor was worth 
4/. and held of the Earl of Oxford ; also that Thomas Byllyng and others 
were seised of the manor to the use of " Joan Ingoldesthorp and of Edmund 
Ingoldesthorp her husband and his heirs." 

The heirs of Edmund Ingoldesthorp are found in this Inquisition to be : 
John Stonor aged 10 ; Elizabeth wife of Sir Henry Wentworth, late wife of 
Thomas Lord le Scroppe; Margaret wife of Sir JohnMortymer; Lucy wife 
of Sir Thomas Fitz William ; and Isabel wife of William " Hodelston," all over 

' I.P.M., 9 Hen. VII. 1088. * Let. Pat. 25 March, 10 Edw. IV. 



202 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

23, viz., John Stonor as son of Anne one of the daughters and heirs of Isabel, 
Marchioness Mountagewe, daughter and heir of the said Joan ; and the said 
Elizabeth, Margaret, Lucy, and Isabel as the other daughters and heirs of 
the said Marchioness. 1 There is an inquiry in the State Papers of 
1524 touching the feoffment of this manor to Dame Margaret Mortimer." 

The manor seems to have vested probably on partition in Dame 
Margaret Mortimer remarried to Robert Downes, and in 1522 a fine was 
levied of the manor by Thomas Rasshe against this Robert Downes. 3 
Further the State Papers disclose an attempt by Sir James Framingham 
and his wife to obtain the manor after this lady's death, and Wolsey 
granted an injunction restraining Sir Anthony Win gfield and William Waller 
from proceedings against Dame Margaret Mortimer and her third husband 
in an action of debt for 3,000 marks before the justices of the King's Bench. 

It seems that Sir James Framingham and Dame Anne his wife had en- 
deavoured to persuade Margaret Mortimer to bind herself to leave her 
inheritance to them, and this she refused to do on account of their " manifold 
unkindness, saying, she would never be bound to her cradle, but be lady 
of her own during her life." It was alleged that they several times turned 
her out of their house at Crowyshall, after having spent and borrowed all 
her money ; and had failed to get bonds from her for her inheritance. The 
last time they put her out they took away from her 8 and withheld all her 
plate and apparel. This took place on Christmas eve, and she " was driven 
to seek her lodging that holy time of Christmas, and also fain to go all the 
said Christmas, as she went upon Christmas even, to her great discomfort." 

It was shown that Margaret sealed and delivered an obligation of 3,000 
marks the 6 August n Hen. VIII. [1519] in the chapel at Croweshall, Deben- 
ham, to Sir Anthony Wingfield and William Waller when none were present 
but the said Margaret and Waller and the chapel door was shut. When it 
was done Waller called in the servants of the house as witnesses. The 
effect of the obligation was that she should " make estate of " a pension of 
100 marks she had from the Exchequer, and the Manors of Somerton and 
Droitwitch Suff. and Wore, to certain persons named by Wingfield and 
Waller for her use during her life, and at her death for six years the manors 
were to be held to the use of her will and afterwards to go to Framingham 
and his wife. The annuity was to remain to Dame Anne immediately on 
Margaret's death and there was a provision that she should not alienate 
any of her inheritance. No feoffees were ever named by Wingfield and 
Waller to Dame Margaret and no request was ever made to her to make 
any such estate, either before her marriage to Downes or after. She was a 
widow for two and a half years after making the obligation. The day of 
making the obligation, Waller promised that none of her lands should be 
put to any " after deal, hurt or damage," but the bond should only 
stand to show to Sir James who was then on his death bed and died nine 
days after. He also promised to redeliver the obligation at Sir James's 
death. She sent Sir Henry Wodward the chaplain three times to ask for it ; 
but he answered that he could not well tell where it was. He said however 
lie would look for it amongst his books at Yepsyche (Ipswich) and Rameshall 
and send it her. 

Dame Margaret alleged that she never had a pennyworth for the making 
of the obligation and never had any lands or moveables from Robert Fornesse 

1 Inquis. 9 Hen. VII. 1088. 3 Fine, Easter, 14 Hen. VIII. 

I.P.M., Hen. VII. 737. 



SOMERTON. 203 

Dame Anne's father. Broune and Dame Anne came to Downes's house 
after he had married Dame Margaret and in her sight stabbed at him with 
a dagger " and like to have stricked him ; and for fear the said Dame 
Margaret swooned three times that night so that they might anethes get the 
life in her/' which was the cause of their selling Somerton, for fear of her 
death, to pay her debts. 

A few years later we find the manor vested in Arthur Rushe who 
died in 1548, when it passed to his son and heir Anthony Rushe, who sold the 
same in 1557 to Henry Payne 1 and Richard Poley and the latter presented 
to the living this same year. William Baker presented in 1571 and 1583 
and probably then had the manor. A fine of it was levied in 1588 by Ed- 
mund Saunders against Philip Coningsby 2 In the time of James I. it seems to 
have passed to Edward Copley who died in 1609 when the manor passed to 
his son Edward Copley, who sold to Sir Francis Blundell. He died in 1702 
and the manor passed to his son and heir George Blundell and from him to 
his son and heir Francis Blundell, who was succeeded by his son and heir 
Montague Viscount Blundell, and in 1827 it was vested in Arthur Blundell 
Sandys-Trumball Hill third Marquis of Downshire. In 1847 the manor 
was vested in George Walter Poley, and is now vested in John George 
Weller Poley of Boxstead Hall. 

The descent of this manor of Somerton Hall is given in the Rawlinson 
MSS. in the Bodl. 3 Amongst the Chancery Proceedings of the time of 
Elizabeth is a claim by Anne wife of Philip Coningslye and Elizabeth Pollie 
as co-parceners against William Baker as to Somerton Hall al. Somerton 
Manor, late the estate of Francis Pollie dec. 4 

HORES MANOR. 

To this manor Davy assigned as first lord, Edward Vauney, 
but without giving any date. No doubt he merely entered the 
name from the fact that in 1428 Nicholas Drury is stated to have 
held here the fourth of a fee formerly belonging to Edward Vauney. 
Nicholas Drury held the lordship and married Joan daughter of 
Thomas Heath of Mildenhall. He died in 1456 when the manor passed 
to his 2nd son Roger Drury who by his second wife Felice daughter of 
William Denson of Besthorp Norfolk had a son Sir Robert Drury, who 
on the death of his father Roger Drury in 1500 succeeded to the lordship. 

Roger Drury the son by his will dated the 2Oth Jan. 1493 be- 
queathed to the " heyanter of the churches of Hartest, Somerton, and 
Whepsted to iche of them vjs. viij^." Amongst many peculiar bequests 
he gives " a standyng pece white and gilt the which weyeth xxvij. unc. 
myn old silver bason with the Drury's armes departed which weyeth xxxvij. 
unc., also my gilt ewer the which weyeth xviij. unc." to his wife. He also 
adds, " I will that she (his wife) have my chased pece with myn armys in 
the botom, the which weyeth xij. unc., because she hath ij. peces of the 
same sute. Also I will that she have my playne flat pece, with a gilt knoppe, 
which weyeth xvj. unc., also I will that she have my powder box which 
weyeth vij. unc. Also I will that she have my primer clothed with purpill 
damaske, and my boke clothed with red leather, in which boke is the masse 
of John. Also I will that she have my white counterpeynt which hath 

1 Fine, Hil. 4 Mary i. 3 Rawl. B. 319. 

' Fine, Easter, 30 Eliz. * C.P. i. 190. 



204 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

myn armys, my greene coverlyght wrought with white coton, my payer of 
fritzans, my hoole chamber that I ly in, my ij . bedds in my maiden's chamber 
hoole, with the change of shets and napery such part as she thynkyth 
necessary for her withought contradicon." 

The escutcheons as given by Cullum on the tomb of Sir Roger Drury 
in Hawstead Church are : A tan between 2 mullets in chief. Drury. 2 
Drury empaling a coat charged with a chevron. Harmingficld. 3 Drury 
empaling, first, a coat charged with a chevron, on which is a cross-crosslet ; 
second, 2 lions passant guardant. Denston. 4 Drury empaling quarterly, 
ist 3 mullets on a band, 2nd obscure except a chief, 3 as 2, 4 as i. From the 
time of Sir Robert Drury who died in 1535-6 to the time of Sir Robert 
Drury who died in 1615 the manor passed in the same course as the Manor 
of Hawstead in Thingoe Hundred. 

Sir Robert Drury did not die seised of the manor, for in 1594 he had 
sold it to Lionel Sharpe. 1 



1 Fine, Trin. 36 Eliz. 




STANSTEAD. 205 

STANSTEAD. 

'N the Confessor's days Goodmund the Thane held in demesne 

5 carucates as a manor with soc. There were 4 villeins, 10 
bordars, 10 slaves, 4 ploughteams in demesne, and 2 belonging 
to the men, 16 acres of meadow, i mill, wood for 10 hogs, 3 
horses, 16 beasts, 60 hogs, and 100 sheep. The value then was 

6 pounds, but by the time of the Great Survey it rendered 
12 pounds, tho' the villeins were but three, the slaves fewer 

by 4, and the ploughteams in demesne reduced by one. The only increase 
was one horse. The manor was one league long and 4 quarantenes broad, 
and it paid in a gelt j^d. whoever might be the holder. There was also 
a church living with 25 acres of free land. 1 The Domesday tenant in chief 
was Hugh de Montfort. He was present at the battle of Hastings, 20 years 
before the Survey, and must have been then a good age, as at the eventful 
battle he had the command of the horse. Indeed it is known that in 1054 
he had greatly distinguished himself by his conduct in Normandy when the 
great army with which King Henry I. of France invaded Normandy was 
defeated at Mortemer. He had supplied the Conqueror with 50 ships and 
sixty knights and in the Battle of Hastings he and the Seigneur de Vieuxpont 
gallantly rescued William Malet who had his horse killed under him and would 
have been slain himself but for their timely aid. They lost many of their 
people,but succeededin protecting Malet, and mounting him on a fresh horse." 
His high character and the confidence placed in his abilities is shown 
by the fact that he was one of the three barons to whom the Conqueror 
when he visited Normandy in 1067 entrusted the administration of 
justice in England. The family were a family of warriors, and the father 
of this Domesday tenant lost his life in a duel with Walkelin de Ferrieres. 
In fact both the combatants lost their lives in the same affray and on the 
same day. Hugh de Montfort the tenant in chief received in reward for his 
services in the conquest sixteen manors in Essex, nineteen in Norfolk, twenty- 
eight in Kent, and the large number of fifty-one in Suffolk, besides a con- 
siderable proportion of Romney Marsh. He married a daughter of Richard 
de Bellofago by a daur. of the Count of Ivri, and was therefore niece of John 
Archbishop of Rouen, of Hugh, Bishop of Bayeux and of the wife of Osbern 
de Crepon. By her he had two sons Hugh and Robert and by a second wife 
he had a daur. Alice who on the death of her half-brothers without issue 
inherited the family estates. Hugh de Montfort became a monk in the 
Abbey of Bee and probably died shortly after the Domesday Survey. His 
2nd son Robert was commander in chief of the Norman army in Maine in 
1099, and joined the Crusade under Bohemund in 1107. Alice the 
daughter of Hugh de Montfort married Gilbert de Gant son of Baldwin 
VI. count of Flanders and consequently nephew of Queen Matilda. Their 
son, Hugh de Gant assumed the name of Montfort and was called Hugh 
the Fourth. He married Adeline daughter of Robert Count of Mellent and 
had a son Robert de Montfort who died without issue. The Montfort 
arms were : Bendy of ten, Or. and Azure. 

STANSTEAD OR OVERHALL MANOR. 

In 1219 the Domesday manor had become divided into two, later known 
as Overhall and Netherhall. Overhall which was the main lordship was 

1 Dom. ii. 408. * Planch6, " The Conqueror and his Com- 

panions," vol. i, p. 167. 



zo6 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

vested in Osbert de Wachesham and Isabel his wife who had also part of the 
advowson. Osbert predeceased his wife, and she appears as the holder of 
3 4th of a fee in the Red Book of the Exchequer. 1 

On her death the manor passed to her son Sir Giles de Wachesham' 
who was living in 1234 an ^ had a wife named Elizabeth. He died in 1267, 
leaving his son and heir Giles de Wachesham who had the manor. He was a 
witness to a grant of Theobald son of Will, de Leyston by which he gave the 
manor of Sawode to Bury Abbey and had a charter of free warren in his 
manors of Marlynford, Wortham, Stansted, Wachesham, &c. In 1267 
Giles the son and heir was 40 years old and John his brother was of age and 
had half a fee given him by Elizabeth his mother. 3 In 1272 Giles the son 
died* and the manor probably passed to his widow Joan and subject to 
her interest to their son Sir Gerard or Giles de Wachesham then an infant. 
The entry in the Hundred Rolls as to the manor is that Giles de Wachesham 
held in chief of the king one knight's fee in Stanstead of which half was in 
the hands of the King as guardian by reason of the death of the said Giles 
and that John de Verdun held the other half 5 of the said Giles. 6 In 1290 
Sir Gerard or Giles de Wachesham was Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, and 
died in 1294, leaving Giles de Wachesham his son and heir who paid 6. 55. 
for relief of his father's lands namely a fee and a fourth part in Stansted, 
2os. for Wachesham, which he held by the sergeanty of jumping, belching, 
and otherwise making a beast of himself once in the year before the King, as 
appears from the Memoranda of the Exchequer Ao. 2ist Edw. I. This 
Giles or Gerard as he is sometimes called, in 1300 settled Wortham on him- 
self for life and then on Giles de Wachesham his son and Amy or Amicia 
his wife and their heirs, and in 1310 he settled the advowson and part of the 
manors on John (? Robert) his son and Joan his wife. On the Patent 
Rolls will be seen a pardon in 1304 to Master Henry de Bradenham for enter- 
ing on the manor of Stanstead demised to him for life by this Gerard de 
Wachesham. 7 The fine was duly paid for the transgression the same year, 8 
and the manor is included in an Inquisition of Sir Henry de Bradenham's 
lands with an extent. 9 The manor is also included in the Inquisition post 
mortem of Gerard de Wachesham in 1307.' This same year we find on the 
Patent Rolls a licence for Gerard de Wachesham to grant in fee simple to 
Giles his son the advowson of the Church of Stanstead and the reversion of 
the manor of Stanstead which Master Henry de Bradenham held for life." 

In 1329 a fine was levied of the manor by Robert de Wechesham and 
Joan his wife dau. of Simon de Hetherset against Giles de Wechesham 12 and 
in 1359 another fine was levied by John de Wachesham and Margaret his 
wife against Robert de Wachesham then Sir Robert and Joan his wife, 
Ralph de Denton and others by which the manor and the advowson of the 
church were settled on themselves and their issue.' 3 The above Sir Robert 
de Wachesham left an only daughter Elizabeth who married Sir Thomas 
Gerbridge' 4 who inherited the estate in her right. He left an only daughter 
Alice who married Sir Edmund Barry or Berry, knt. The manor does not 
however, seem to have left the Wachesham family, for it appears to have 

' cxxx. rider c. ' Pat. Rolls, 34 Edw. 1. 17. 

1 See Manor of Wortham Hall in Hartis- . " Originalia, 32 Edw. I. Ri. 5; 

mere Hundred. ' I.P.M., 32 Edw. I. 189. 

I.P.M., 52 Hen. III. 14. I.P.M., 35 Edw. I. 80. 

I.P.M., i Edw. I. 9. See I.P.M., 3 Edw. I: ' Pat. Rolls, 35 Edw. I. 31 

28. " Feet of Fines, 3 Edw. III. 17. 

This is Netherhall Hall Manor: ' Feet of Fines, 33 Edw. III. 29. 

H.R. ii. 142, 146, 150. ' Davy says Sir Edmund Barry or Berry. 



STANSTEAD. 207 

been vested in a Sir Robert de Wachesham in 1433. This year he made 
his will in which he ordered his body to be buried in the Carmelites or White 
Friars at Norwich. He left two daughters and coheirs Agnes, married to 
Sir William Paston afterwards Judge Paston ; and Alice married to Sir 
Thomas Bardolph, knt., who in 1454 released their right to Agnes and Sir 
William Paston in the manor and advowson of Stanstead. This Sir William 
Paston was the son and heir of Clement Paston of Oxnead in Norfolk. He 
was bred to the bar and in 1413 made steward of all the courts and letes 
belonging to Richard Courtney, Bishop of Norwich, who settled upon him 
5 per annum out of his lordship of Blofield and " a livery yearly on the 
nativity of our Saviour out of his wardrobe of woollen cloth and fur such as 
the other peers or nobles of his retinue received yearly." In 1426 he received 
the coif and in 1429 Hen. VI. granted him no marks per annum with two 
robes more than the ordinary fees of the judges as a special mark of his 
favour, being a judge of the Common Pleas and of the King's Council for his 
Duchy of Lancaster. The Prior of Bromholm in 1438 gave him for his 
services 16 acres of land at Baketon and the Abbot of Bury granted him 
a letter of confraternity or brotherhood whereby he partook of all the 
prayers of that Abbey both alive and dead. He was surnamed " the Good 
Judge," and died in London the i4th Aug. 1443 at the age of 66, being buried 
in the chapel at the east end of Norwich Cathedral. Agnes his wife died in 
1479 and was buried by his side. His will is dated June 20 1443, and by 
an Inquisition taken Nov. 2 in the same year, John Paston was found to be 
his son and heir and of the age of 23 years ; Edmund his son was found to be 
1 8, and Clement his other son i year old. Sir William Paston in right of his 
wife quartered the arms of the ancient families of Hetherset, Wachesham, 
Craven, Gerbridge, Hengrave and Kerdeston. 

John Paston succeeded to the lordship and married Margaret daughter 
and heir of Sir John de Manteby by Margaret his wife daughter 
of John Berney of Redham. He was a man highly respected and worthy 
of his father. Sir John Fastolf Knight of the Garter appointed him one of 
his executors, giving him all his manors, lands and hereditaments in trust 
to found a college of seven priests at Castor near Yarmouth and to pay 
4,000 marks in charitable uses in Norf. Surf, and Norwich " for the singular 
love and trusts " (says Sir John) " that I have to my cozen John Paston 
before all others, being in very beleve that he will execute my will herein." 
King Edward IV. seized several of the estates of this John Paston and he 
was committed a prisoner to the Fleet. Just before his death, which occurred 
in London May 26 1466, he assigned over his jewels, chattels and 
effects to Sir John Paston sen. his eldest son and heir, John Paston jun., 
William and Clement his other sons, and was buried at Bromholm Abbey 
in a very solemn and sumptuous manner. Blomefield gives the expenses 
paid at his funeral from a roll in his own possession and the particulars are 
very curious. 

Sir John Paston the son of the Judge so thoroughly trusted by Sir John 
Fastolf does not seem to have borne the irreproachable character of his 
father if the tale told of him be authentic It is said that the Judge his 
father having left large sums of money and securities of great value to be 
distributed amongst his children and placed them in a coffer which he 
deposited in the Priory of Norwich having taken an oath from his eldest 
son Sir John Paston that the treasure should not be resorted to without 
the executors of his will and Agnes his mother, Sir John in violation of 
his oath by a subterfuge obtained possession of the treasure. 



208 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

It seems he requested leave to place a coffer near his father's, and 
when resorting to his own broke open that of his father and kept the con- 
tents for 2 years when, as the narrator observes, " the prior and the executors 
durst have sworn that they (meaning the treasure) were safe therein." 

Edw. IV. in 1466 granted to Sir John Paston, called senior because of his 
having a brother called John, a warrant enabling him to take possession of 
all the lands and inheritance of his late father and of Agnes his grand- 
mother, and of Margaret his mother which had been seized by the King in 
evil surmises made to him against his deceased father and himself of all 
which they were " sufficiently openly and worshipp fully cleared " before 
the King. Sir John Paston senior acquired considerable renown in France 
and was chosen to be on King Edward's side at the great tournament at 
Eltham in Kent against the then Lord Chamberlain and others, and was 
also sent to conduct the King's sister into France on her marriage to Charles 
Duke of Burgundy. He died the 15 Nov. 1479 unmarried, and was succeeded 
by his brother John Paston jun., who was made knight banneret by King 
Henry VII. at the Battle of Stoke in Nottinghamshire, High Sheriff of 
Norfolk, and was one of those who were appointed to receive the Princess 
Catherine of Spain wife of Prince Arthur on her landing in this country. 

He married Margery daughter of Sir Thomas Brews of Stinton Hall 
in Lalle, and dying in 1503 was buried in the White Friars' Church at Nor- 
wich. His successor in the lordship was Sir William Paston his eldest 
son and heir, an eminent lawyer who received from the Corporation of 
Yarmouth for his services an annuity of 40 a year. He lived to the age 
of 90 and died in 1554 and his will was proved Dec. 4th in the same year. 
His wife was Bridget daughter of Sir Henry Heydon knt. of Baconsthorp 
in Norfolk by whom he had 5 sons and 7 daughters. Erasmus Paston the 
eldest son married Mary daughter of Sir Thomas Wyndham of Felbrigge, 
died before his father in November 1538 and was buried in the Church of 
Paston leaving by Mary his wife (who lived his widow 52 years and was also 
buried at Paston) a son and heir William Paston who succeeded his 
grandfather in his inheritance, and had livery of it in 1554. He married 
Frances daughter of Sir Thomas Clare of Stokesby and received the honour 
of knighthood. In 1572 or before that year he sold the manor to Robert 
Jerny of Norwich. The manor then passed to Richard Martyn, a member of 
the Martyn family of Long Melford settled there before the time of Rich. II. 

The arms of the Martyns were : Argent, a chevron between three 
mascles, sable, all within a bordar, engrailled gules : and Crest a cocka- , 
trice's head between two wings. Richard Martyn married ist Anne 
daughter of - - Eden of London ; 2ndly Elizabeth daughter of John Crane of 
Chilton, and by his first wife had Roger Martyn the recusant who was born 
in 1526. In the second year of Q. Eliz. Richard Martyn was ordered to 
send a horse and man completely armed to Newcastle to rendezvous and 
march against the French and Scots. He died in 1572 and the manor passed 
to Roger Martyn. Roger was a staunch Roman Catholic and eminent as 
well for his piety as his liberality. It is recorded that at one period of 
bitter persecution he was obliged to hide himself during the daytime under 
a hay rick, but so popular and beloved was he by his neighbours and 
acquaintances that they did everything in their power for his security and 
protection. 

He was a person of great learning and strict integrity, and Queen Mary, 
it is said, offered to make him a Secretary of State but he declined the 
honour. His answer to the Queen was : " that for himself he was highly 



STANSTEAD. 209 

satisfied with the sufficiency God had bestowed upon him, and with a private 
life ; and as for my son, he will inherit a competency sufficient, if he proves 
an honest man, and if he becomes otherwise it will be far too much." 

If one may venture to criticise the saying of so pious and immaculate 
a man as some have made him out to be, the reply appears somewhat 
selfish, and presumes that one would merely take upon oneself an impor- 
tant office for the public good from mercenary motives. Sir William 
Betham declares that the offer was made to Roger's grandfather and 
namesake, whom he says lived to near one hundred years of age and died 
the latter part of Queen Mary's reign. In this matter we have followed 
Sir William Parker's statement in his History of Long Melford that the 
honour was offered to Roger Martyn who died in 1615, though of course the 
answer is not particularly appropriate to a young man of eight and twenty 
who most likely had no son born to him at the time ! The son who did 
succeed him was born five years after Queen Mary's death. Although a 
proclaimed recusant the respect in which Roger Martyn was held 
by those immediately surrounding was such that he did not experience 
those hardships which in those days so many of his co-religionists had to 
undergo. 

When with declining years he was unable to go far from home he had 
a whistle to his cane by which he called the poor to him to receive his charity. 
He died Aug. 3 1615 aged 89, and the manor passed to his son and heir 
Richard Martyn. 

He married ist Eleanor daughter of Francis Mannock of Gifford's 
Hall in Stoke by Nayland by whom he had two sons, Roger who died 
young and Roger his heir born 1584 ; 2ndly Barbara daughter of Thomas 
Daniel of Acton by whom he had three sons and one daughter ; and srdly 
Alice daughter of Edmund Smith of Suffolk by whom he had only daughters 
who all died without issue. He died the 8 March 1624 aged 65 and was buried 
at Melford with his wives and children under a large tomb, and the manor 
passed to his son and heir Sir Roger Martyn. He was knighted in 1625 and 
was a recusant as were his fathers. It is said that by letters patent of Charles 
I. 3 Jan. 1627, the statute 35 Eliz. relating to recusants was in his case in a 
measure relaxed. He was a Cavalier and so suffered in the rebellion that 
he afterwards petitioned both Houses of Parliament for redress, setting 
forth in his petition that he and his ancestors had lived quietly among 
.their neighbours in Melford for about 300 years. He married Anne daughter 
of Laurence Samuel Love of Sevenoaks knt., and had 7 sons and 3 
daughters. 

In the Calendar of Pleadings relating to the Duchy of Lancaster in 
1594 is an action by the Attorney-General v. John Beneshe as purchaser 
of Stanstead Hall Manor and Brettenham relating to royalties, franchises, 
and other profits, &c.' This action however probably related to another 
Stanstead Hall near Brettenham. 

Sir Roger Martyn died in 1656 aged 71, and the manor passed to his 
son and heir Richard Martyn who married ist Jane daughter of Sir H. 
Bedingfield of Oxburgh, knt., by whom he had 9 sons and i dau. ; 2ndly 
Mary daughter of John TyndaU of Melford by whom he had r son and 
3 daurs. He died in 1673 and was succeeded in the lordship by his son and 
heir Sir Roger Martyn, who was created a Baronet on the 28 March 1667. 

1 D. of Lane., Cal. to Plead., 36 Eliz. 32. 

AI 



2io THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

He married in 1663 Tamworth dau. of Ed. Homer of Mells in Somersetshire 1 
by whom he had 8 sons and 10 daughters. 

He died the 8 July 1712 aged 73. Sir Roger Martyn purchased an 
annuity of 260 French livres for ever issuing out of the Bank of Paris, and 
by deed the 2ist March, 1709 directed the same to be paid to some priest 
of the Roman Catholic Church for him to distribute one-third part thereof 
among such poor Roman Catholics as might live in or near Melford and the 
remainder to the said priest on condition that he resided in or near Melford 
and never failed to remember in the oblations of holy mass the dead and 
the living of the donor's family, saying before or after mass the De profundis 
with the proper absolve for their souls, mentioning the last of the deceased, 
and should make a more especial memory upon the obiit days respectively 
of himself, his ancestors, his lady, children and descendants who should be 
heirs of his estate and Roman Catholics according to a schedule annexed, 
but the whole number of souls whose obiits were to be commemorated were 
never at any time to exceed twenty-four, but the first eleven in the list 
and the eight then living to be continuedin perpetuity. The priest was 
to be appointed by the Provincial of the English Dominicans for the time 
being.* 

It might strike one that the pious founder required a large amount of 
consideration for his charitable gift, but pious persons are not always 
the most liberal. It seems as if two such excellent qualities are too good 
to be found in the same receptacle ! 

Sir Roger Martin 2nd Bart, eldest surviving son of the ist Bart., married 
Anna Maria Harvey by whom he had two sons, Roger his successor and 
Richard. Lady Martin died at Cambridge May 15, 1739, and Sir Roger in 
May, 1742, when the manor passed to Sir Roger Martin, 3rd Bart., who 
married Sophia daughter of Brigadier-General Lewis Mordaunt, brother to 
the Earl of Peterborough, by whom he had a son Mordaunt. Sir Roger 
Martin died in 1762 when the manor passed to his son Sir Mordaunt Martin, 
4th Bart, who married Everilda Dorothea 3rd daughter of the Rev. William 
Smith, Rector of Burnham, Norf. Sir Mordaunt Martin died in 1815, but 
he seems to have sold the manor, which in 1829 ls sa id by Kirby to have been 
vested in Hart Logan, and in 1844 by Page to be then in Edward Starkie 
Bence. E. R. S. Bence was the lord in 1885 and the manor is now vested in 
Edward Starkie Bence of Kent well Hall. 

NETHERHALL MANOR. 

This manor in 1219 was held by William de Verdon and Maud his wife 
of the main manor and these individuals had also a part of the advowson. 
In 1275 John de Verdon had the manor, and married Isabel daughter of 
Giles de Wachesham. He was followed in the lordship by his son and heir 
John de Verdon who died about 1301, and was succeeded by his son and 
heir Thomas de Verdon who died in 1315,' when the manor passed to his 
son and heir Sir John de Verdon. A fine was levied in 1325 of the manor by 
this John de Verdon and Agnes his wife v. Robert Clypston parson of the 
Church of Brynton/ and Sir John de Verdon seems to have married again, 

1 By Elizabeth dau. of Sir George Hereby Parker's Hist, of Melford p. 348. 

of Thriburgh in Yorks, Bart., and ' Extent. I. P.M., 9 Edw. II. 54. 

rehct of Sir Francis Fulgiums who ' Feet of Fines, 19 Edw. II. 18. 
afterwards by a 3rd marriage was 
Viscountess Monson, and her 4th 
husband Sir Adam Felton. 



STANSTEAD. 



211 



for in 1339 another fine of this manor is levied by this same Sir John de 
Verdon and Matilda his wife v. Master Alan de Hotham. 1 Sir John died in 
1346 and the manor passed to his son and heir Sir John de Verdon. He 
died about 1392 leaving a daughter married ist to Sir Hugh Bradshaw and 
2ndly to Sir John Pilkington to whom the manor passed in right of his 
wife. The following fines were levied respecting this manor between 
1396 and 1430 : Ralph Rokyngham v. Sir Edmund Neon and Isabella his 
wife 2 ; Ralph Rokynham v. Sir John Pilkyngton and Margaret his wife 3 ; 
Sir John Pylkyngton and Margaret his wife v. Ralph Rokyngham 4 ; 
William de Lobenham, Thomas of Hilton, clerk, and Richard Fethhyng- 
ham chaplain v. Sir John de Pilkyngton and Margaret his wife 
which Edmund Noon (sic) held for life 5 ; Sir John de Pylkyngton and 
Margaret his wife v. William de Lobenham, Thomas . . . clerk, and 
Rich. Ferthynge chaplain which Sir Edmund Noon held for life 6 ; Ralph 
Birche, William Gannok chaplain and Wm. Tayllour v. Margaret who was 
wife of John Pilkyngton, Edmund Pilkyngton and Robt. Pilkyngton. 7 
In 1419 Sir John Pilkington granted a lease to Wm. Clopton. Margaret 
Pilkington died in I437- 8 In 1499 the manor was vested in Sir John 
Raynsford and on his death passed to his son and namesake who died 
without issue. The manor then passed to Roger Martin probably by virtue 
of a fine levied by him in 1533 of " Stansted Manor " against Isabella 
Tressham and others. 9 Roger Martin died the 21 Nov. 1541' when the 
manor passed to his son and heir Richard Martin. Richard Martin was 
in 1569 called upon to shew title to "Stanstead al. Staynton al. Netherhall." 11 
The title to the manor subsequently is identical with that of Overhall the 
main manor. 

Abstract of bye-laws of Overhall and Netherhall Manors in 150-3 
1578 will be found amongst the Additional Charters in the Brit. Mus." In 
the Chancery Proceedings in the time of Q. Elizabeth will be found an action 
touching the fraudulent possession of land called Syterches parcel of Stan- 
stead Manor of which Henry Bowley was seised &c. 13 And also somewhat 
later a claim by John Wynche son of John Wynche deceased against 
Ambrose Gallant to land held of the manor of Netherhall in Stanstead by 
John Wynche dec. who devised same but did not surrender to the use of his 
will.' 4 

Notes respecting Stanstead Manor about 1484 will be found amongst 
the MSS. of the Brit. Mus. 15 and a lease of the manor in 1419 is amongst 
the Harleian Charters in the Brit. Mus. 16 

WOODHOUSE MANOR. 

The only particulars respecting this manor are gathered from the Davy 
MSS. in the Brit. Mus. It is in these stated that Henry Rushbrook and 
Alice his wife and Robt. Hunter enfeoffed John son of Wm. Doreward, 
Robt. de Teye, Rich. Baynard, Ralph Chamberlayn and Nicholas Peche, 
who granted in 1418 to Robert Hunter and Katherine his wife. 



' Feet of Fines, 13 Edw. III. 7. 

' Feet of Fines, 20 Rich. II. 2. 

3 Ib. 3. 

Ib. 6 Hen. IV. T4. 

s Ib. 8 Hen. IV. 32. 

6 Ib. 10 Hen. IV. i. 

' Ib. 8 Hen. VI. 12. 

8 I.P.M., 15 Hen. VI. 61. 



9 Fine, Easter, 25 Hen. VIII. 
I.P.M., 35 Hen. VIII. 129. 
1 Memoranda, n Eliz. Pas. Rec. Rot. 63. 
* Add. Ch. 26072. 
' C.P. i. 73. 
M C.P. (29 Eliz.) iii. 289. 

5 Add. MSS. 27446. 

6 Harl. 54 H. 31. 



212 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

We meet with a " Woodhouse Manor " in the Inquisition post mortem 
of John Wiseman who died the 27 May 1555 leaving a son and heir Edward 
Wiseman, but are not able to say with certainty that this is the manor 
there referred to. 1 






I.P.M., 2 and 3 P. and M. 59. 




STOKE BY NAYLAND. 213 



STOKE BY NAYLAND. 

N the Confessor's time Robert or Rodbert held the main 
manor with 4 carucates of land with soc. There were 25 
villeins, 32 bordars, 8 slaves, 2 ploughteams in demesne, 
12 belonging to the men, 25 acres of meadow and wood, 
and 60 hogs, valued at 10 pounds. Also a church living 
with 60 acres of free land. By the time of the Norman 
Survey the value of the manor had risen to twelve pounds, 
and there had been added to it a ploughteam in demesne, 2 mills, 3 horses, 
8 beasts, 20 hogs, 70 sheep and 4 goats, but the villeins had come down to 
15, the bordars to 23, the slaves to 6, and the ploughteams of the men to 7. 
The same Robert had also in this place n freemen by commendation and 
soc, having i carucate of land among them which they could sell, and I 
freeman with 12 acres by commendation only (for the soc and sac belonged 
to the Abbot of St. Edmund) having formerly a ploughteam and a half, 
but then one team only. The value was 30 shillings and it paid in a gelt 
20^. The extent was 8 quarentenes long and 4 broad, and the manor was one 
of those belonging to Suane of Essex. 1 

At a later period this manor became divided into seven Tendring Hall 
al. Stoke by Nayland, Giffard's Hall, Scotland Hall, Levenhey, Causer's, 
Peacham's and Shardelowes, and Stoke Rectory Manors. There was indeed 
an eighth manor separately entered in the Domesday Survey, namely 
Withermarsh Manor. 

TENDRING HALL al. STOKE BY NAYLAND MANOR. 

This the main manor passed on the death of the Domesday tenant to 
his son Robert de Essex, and at his death to his son Henry who forfeited the 
same in 1163 as mentioned under Nayland. In 1282 William de Tendring 
and Beatrice his wife levied a fine against Ralph de Berners respecting the 
manor, 2 and in 1285 the said William de Tendring had a grant of free 
warren here. 3 This William and his wife Beatrice had also a grant of 
market and fair here in 1303 . 4 

William de Tendring died in 1305,5 and the manor passed to his son 
Sir John Tendring, and on his death before 1347, to Sir William Tendring, 
for that year Sir William levied a fine of the manor, Ralph de Tendring and 
Roger parson of Parva Brythe Church being deforciants. 6 Sir William 
died in 1375, leaving a son Sir William Tendring who succeeded to the 
lordship. He married Catharine Clopton and died about 1421. He was 
buried in Stoke by Nayland Church and upon the pavement before the 
high altar is an ancient gravestone, having thereon the figure of a knight 
in complete armour, resting his head upon his gauntlet, with this inscription 
according to Weever : " Hie iacent tumulati, dominus Willelmus 
Tendring miles and Katherina Clapton vxor eiusdem qui obierunt anno 
domini 1408. 

Sir William Tendring left an only daughter and heir Alice who married 
Sir John Howard, knt. On this marriage Sir John settled on his wife the 
manor and advowson of Fersfield in Norfolk, with Brokes in Suffolk, the 

1 Dom. ii. 401. * I.P.M., 33 Edw. I. 60. 

* .Feet of Fines, 10 Edw. 1. 17. 6 George de Geddyngge, App. cl. ; Feet of 
3 Chart. Rolls, 13 Edw. I. 67. Fines, 21 Edw. III. 19. 

* Chart. Rolls, 31 Edw. 1. 17. 



214 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

same being vested in Sir Simon de Felbrigge, John de Rochford, and 
Michael Beverleye, Dean of Middelham College to the use of himself and 
Alice for life and his heirs and if he had none to the use of the trustees' 
heirs. The deed is dated at Fersfield 1398. Alice Howard's will is dated 
October 13 1426, and in it she orders her body to be buried in the south aisle 
of the Ch. of Stoke Nayland near her father ; to which church she bequeaths 
40$. and her white gown, striped with gold. She also bequeathed the like 
sum to the friars' convent of Calre, to the monks of the convent of 
Bedingfield, the friars' convent of Sudbury, the friars' convent of Colchester, 
the friars predicants of Ipswich, the friars minors there and the friars 
Carmelites there ; and the friars Augustine of Thetford. She constitutes 
three chaplains her executors, who were to dispose of her goods for the 
health of her soul as they saw expedient. She devised the manors of Stoke 
Nayland to Sir John Howard her husband for life with remainder to Robert 
Howard her son and to the heirs of his body ; remainder to Henry Howard, 
brother of the said Robert ; remainder to Lady Margaret, wife of the said 
Robert. She died soon after, for probate of her will was granted the 2Oth 
of October next ensuing the date of her will. She was according to her direc- 
tion buried in the south aisle of Stoke Nayland Church, under the same 
stone with Sir John Howard her husband, and by her father Sir William 
Tendring. In the east window of the south part of the church are, according 
to Weever, the portraitures of Sir John Howard and his wife Alice, with the 
following inscription : Orate pro animabus domini Johannis Howard 
et dominoe Aliciae vxoris eius. Upon a fair marble though much defaced 
in the choir : Orate pro animabus Johannis Howard, militis, qui obijt Anno 
Dni. 14 . . . et Aliciae vxoris eius qui obijt in festo Sancte Luce Evangeliste 
Anno Dni. 1426 quorum animabus propitietur Deus. Amen. On Alice 
Howard's death in 1426 the manor passed to her husband for life. Sir 
Robert Howard, knt. their eldest son subsequently inherited. He married 
Margaret eldest daughter and coheir of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk 
by Elizabeth his wife daur. and coheir of Richard Fitzallen Earl of Arundel 
and cousin and coheir of John Mowbray Duke of Norfolk, and died in his 
father's lifetime, leaving a son Sir John Howard, who was the first Duke of 
that family. Sir John, who was Sheriff of the Counties of Essex and Hert- 
ford in the reigns of Hen. IV. and Hen. V. did not die as Weever states in 
1400, for he made his will the i April 1435, and died in 1437, in which year 
his will was proved.' He was steward of the Liberty of St. Edmund's Bury 
in 1399.* On Sir John Howard's death the manor passed to his grandson 
Sir John Howard. He distinguished himself in early life in the French 
wars of Hen. VI. In the latter part of that reign he accompanied John 
Viscount Lisle to Blay with 22,000 men and was present when the valiant 
Earl of Shrewsbury was slain. In 1442 he was sent by the King to appease 
the great riot in Norwich, and being a great support to the Yorkists, was 
in 1461 appointed Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, Constable of Norwich 
and Colchester Castles and Carver to the King. In 1466 he was constituted 
Vice-Admiral of the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, and the following year 
Treasurer of the Household. He occupied many important positions, being 
joint commissioner to treat with Burgundy in 1472 and 1473, and with France 
in 1475, 1477 and 1478. In 1477 he had a grant of the office of Constable 
of the Tower and the next year was made Captain-General of the King's 
Fleet against the Scots and was also installed Knight of the Garter. 

I.P.M., 16 Hen. VI. 56. Placita Coram Rege, i Hen. IV. 



STOKE BY NAYLAND. 215 

In 1478 and 1482 he obtained grants of market and fair in Stoke 
Nayland. 1 In consideration of his great services he had granted to him 
from the Crown in special tail the manors of Layham and Whersted, 
with other manors in the counties of Essex, Dorset, and Norfolk which 
were then in the Crown by reason of the attainder of John Earl of Wiltshire. 
At a later period in the 15 Edw. IV. Sir John Howard was further rewarded 
with a grant in special tail of the manors of Preston, Cokefield, Aldham and 
Mendham then in the Crown by the attainder of John de Vere Earl of 
Oxford. On the 25 July i Rich. III. he had a further grant of lands which 
included the manor of Lavenham. 2 

On the 28th of June 1483 he was created Duke of Norfolk and Earl 
Marshal of England, by which latter office he was empowered to grant to 
any person or persons the office of Marshal of the King's Bench, or Marshal 
of the Exchequer, and office of Marshal's crier before the Steward and 
Marshal of the King's Household, and was further empowered in the King's 
presence or absence to bear a golden staff tipped at each end with black, 
the upper part thereof to be adorned with the royal arms, and the lower 
with those of his own family, and for the better support of the dignity of 
the office he received a grant to himself and his heirs for ever of 20 annually 
out of the fee farm rent of Ipswich. He was present with Rich. III. at 
Bosworth and fell leading the van of the royal army 22 August 1485. He 
was of course attainted in the Parliament held 7 Nov. i Hen. VII. 

On the Patent Rolls in 1486 is a special pardon to Thomas Earl of 
Surrey al. Thomas Howard late of Stoke with right reserved to the Crown 
to imprison him during pleasure in any prison which it may select. 3 

Sir John the first Duke of Norfolk married first Catherine daughter of 
Richard Lord Molines. She died in 1452 and was buried in Stoke by 
Nayland Church between the high altar and the choir where a monument 
was erected for her exhibiting the figure of a lady habited in a hood and 
gown on one side whereof are the arms of Brotherton, three lions passant 
gardant or ; the arms of Howard, gules, a bend between 6 cross crosslets 
argent, and a lion rampant ducally crowned. Also on the four corners 
are escutcheons of arms : On the right next her head four coats within a 
garter circumscribed Honi soit Qui mal y Pense, i the arms of Brotherton, 
2 Howard, 3 Warren, Chequy, or and azure, 4 Mowbray, a lion rampant 
argent. On the sinister side, six coats impaling wavy of six (the arms of 
Molines) i Brotherton, 2 Howard, 3 Warren, 4 Brews of Gower, azure, a 
lion rampant and semi of cross crosslets, or, 5 a lion rampant, ducally crowned, 
6 Mowbray. At her feet an escutcheon of the arms of Molines on the 
right ; and on the sinister six coats Brotherton, &c., as before. Beneath 
her feet is the following inscription : Under this stone is buried the body of 
the right honorable woman and ladie sometime wife unto the right high and 
mighty prince lord John Howard Duke of Norfolke, and mother unto the 
right noble and puissant prince, lord Thomas Howard duke also of Norfolke, 
which lady departed this present life Ann. dom. 1452. 

The Duke married 2ndly Margaret daughter of Sir John Chetworth, knt., 
who survived him and by her will dated May 13 1490 ordered her body to 
be buried in the choir of the Church of our Lady in Stoke Nayland before 
her image on the side of the high altar. She appointed that immediately after 
her decease her executors should find three hundred priests to say ccc masses 

1 Chart. Rolls, 15, 22 Edw. IV. 9. * p a t. Rolls, I Hen. VII. pt. iii. 16 (12) ; 

' Pat. Rolls, i Rich. III. pt. i. 8 ; 2 Rich. Privy Seal, i Hen. VII. No. 826. 

III. pt. ii. 



216 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

and diriges for her soul, within eight or ten days after her decease. Likewise 
that they should find, as hastily as might be, two virtuous priests to sing in 
the Church of Stoke for the space of three years for her soul, the souls of her 
husband, John Norreys Esq., Nicholas Wyfold, and all others to whom she 
was beholden. She bequeathed to the repair of the church v. marks and 
to the gild of St. John in Stoke xxs. to keep her obit and pray for her ; 
xxvis. &d. to the house of St. John of Colchester, the like sum to the nuns of 
Brusyard and the friars of Clare ; xxs. to the house of St. Buttolph's, and the 
like sum to the grey friars and friars of Sudbury, who were every of them 
to keep her obit and pray for her. She bequeathed to her daughter the Lady 
Berners, and to her son her husband (sic) all her household goods except plate, 
as also what belonged to her chapel with the chalice ; but that they should 
have of her plate two great pots of silver, two flaggons, and vi. great bowls 
with covers ; to her daughter Marney a chain of water-flowers. She con- 
stituted Edmund Daniel and Thomas Swayne vicar of the church of Stoke 
Nayland her executors and her lord and son (in law) the Earl of Surrey 
supervisor. The probate bears date Dec. 3 1494. 

Though the first Duke's eldest son Thomas Earl of Surrey was attainted, 
as was his father, we find on the Patent Rolls in 1486 a special pardon to 
him as " Thomas Earl of Surrey al. Thomas Howard late of Stoke," but 
right is reserved to the Crown to imprison him during pleasure in any 
prison which it may select. 1 The Crown exercised its pleasure under the 
reservation by keeping the Earl in prison for three and a half years in the 
Tower. His lordship was restored in 1489 and in 1503 was constituted 
Lord High Treasurer of England, and Lord High Steward for the trial of 
Sir Edward Sutton, Lord Dudley for felony committed in the County of 
Stafford. In 1507 he obtained a special livery of all the manors and lands 
whereof the Duke his father had died seised, 2 and in 1513 was appointed 
Lieut. -General of the North and Captain-General of the Army. His 
great military achievement was the victory at Flodden Field Sept. 9 1514, 
where the Scots were defeated and their sovereign King James IV. slain. 
In this battle the Scots lost the Archbishop of St. Andrews, 2 Bishops, 4 
Abbots, 12 Earls, 14 lords, besides knights and 10,000 men. This great 
success secured for the Earl the Dukedom his father had enjoyed and 
the same year he was created Duke of Norfolk and Earl Marshal. For 
his services against the Scots he had a special grant by the King's order 
that he and the heirs male of his body should for ever bear as an honourable 
augmentation to his arms, on the bend of the Howards' arms, the upper 
half of a red lion (depicted as the arms of Scotland are) pierced through the 
mouth with an arrow. In 1521 he performed the office of Lord High 
Steward at the trial of Edward Duke of Buckingham and gave sentence of 
death upon him, but not without tears ; and in 1522 consoled himself by 
obtaining a grant to his son Thomas Earl of Surrey of the manors of Welles, 
Shyringham, Stafford, Bannyngham, Warham and Weveton in the County 
of Suffolk (sic) with the advowson of the churches, part of the said Duke's 
lands. He resigned the office of Lord Treasurer of England, and retired 
with the King's permission to his castle at Framlingham, where he con- 
tinued to reside until his death. He married ist Elizabeth daughter and 
heir of Sir Frederick Tilney knt. and widow of Humphrey Bourchier Lord 
Berners, and 2ndly Agnes daughter of Hugh Tilney sister and heir 

1 Pat. Rolls, i Hen. VII. pt. iii. 16 (12) ; Pat. Rolls, 22 Hen. VII. pt. iii. 
Privy Seal, I Hen. VII.,No. 826. 



STOKE BY NAYLAND. 217 

of Sir Philip Tilney of Boston in Lincolnshire knt. By his will 
dated the last day of May 1520 he bequeathed his body to be buried in the 
church of the Priory of Thetford before the high altar there, appointing that 
his executors should cause a tomb to be made and set up directly with the 
images of himself and Agnes his wife thereon, allowing for the charge 
thereof cxxxiii/. vis. viii^. He also bequeathed to his son and heir 
apparent who should be living at his decease his great hanged bed, paled 
with cloth of gold, white damask, and black velvet, broidered with these 
two letters J and A, as also one suit of hangings of the story of Hercules, 
made for the great chamber at Framlingham in Norfolk. He died May 
the 21, 1524 at his castle at Framlingham and was buried in the Priory of 
Thetford according to his desire, with great solemnity. The manor passed 
to his widow Agnes for life. It seems that she was attainted and her interest 
was forfeited to the Crown ; but amongst the State Papers of Hen. VIII., 
in 1542, is the notice of a grant for life to her, as " Agnes duchess of Norfolk, 
widow, of Stoke Hall Manor, of lands in Stoke Nayland, Polstede, Box- 
worth and Higham, which premises the said Duchess held for life with the 
remainder to Thomas Duke of Norfolk and his heirs, forfeited by 
attainder." 1 

On Agnes's death the manor passed to Thomas Howard 3rd Duke 
of Norfolk, who was Lord Deputy of Ireland in 1520, High Treasurer 
of England in 1522, and held many other important offices of State. 
He attended the King into France and was sent chief ambassador 
to the French King to attend him to Nice and commune with 
the Pope as to his delaying King Henry's divorce. In 1536 he marched 
to the assistance of the Earl of Shrewsbury, when he suppressed the insur- 
rection in Yorkshire called the Pilgrimage of Grace, raised on account of the 
dissolution of the lesser monasteries, and was soon after made Lieutenant- 
General of all the King's forces beyond the Trent. He was High Steward 
of the Liberty of Bury St. Edmunds, and joint High Steward of the 
University of Cambridge in 1540. But after all his great services to the 
King and his country, the King was so far misled and incensed against 
him by the insinuating persuasions of some of the nobility who bore him no 
good will, in consequence of his casual expressions as to newly raised up 
men, that he not only sent him prisoner to the Tower, but gave order for 
seizing his goods, stating to his ambassadors abroad that the Duke and his 
son had conspired to take upon themselves the government during his (the 
King's) life, and after his death to get the prince into their hands. The Duke 
and his son were both attainted in parliament ; the Earl lost his head and the 
Duke would have fared no better had not death cut off his inexorable 
sovereign. Sir Walter Raleigh in his preface to his History of the World 
describes the Duke as exceeding " Valiant and advised, whose deservings 
King Hen. VIII. knew not how to value ; having never omitted anything 
that concerned his own honour and the King's service." And of the son the 
Earl of Surrey he says, " he was no less valiant than learned, and of excellent 
hopes." The bills of attainder were passed but 8 days before the King's 
death. The Lord Paget affirmed in the House of Commons in the ist year 
of Q. Mary that upon his honour the King's assent was never given to the bills, 
but his stamp only put thereto, which was done by William Clark. Not- 
withstanding the death of the King, so powerful were the Duke's enemies 
that when in the beginning of Edward the Sixth's reign pardon was given by 

1 State Papers 1542, 362 (58). 

Bl 



2i8 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

proclamation to all persons for all crimes whatsoever, six only excepted, he 
was the chief of the excepted persons. As to the particulars laid to his 
charge the act of repeal in the ist of Q. Mary recites that there was no special 
matter in the act of attainder, but only general words of treason and con- 
spiracy and that out of their care for the preservation of the King and the 
prince it was passed; and this act of repeal further sets out that " the only 
thing with which the Duke stood charged was bearing of arms which he 
and his ancestors had borne both within and without the kingdom in the 
King's presence and in sight of his progenitors which they might lawfully 
bear and give, as by good and substantial matter of record it did appear." 
It also adds, that the King died after the date of the commission, but did 
not give it himself ; moreover that the King did not sign the commission 
with his own hand ; his stamp being only set to it, and that not at the 
upper part, but to the nether part of it, contrary to the King's custom. 
On the attainder all the manors and estates of the duke were seised, but 
the effect of the act of repeal, was to restore to him his estates without any 
particular pardon. 

On the insurrection of Sir Thomas Wyatt,his Grace raised 200 horse 
and 600 foot, with which he marched from London, and on his way 
to Rochester defeated Knevit who was marching to join Wyatt. His forces 
however deserted him later. On the suppression of the rebellion the Duke 
being over 80 years of age retired to his seat at Kenninghall in Norfolk, 
where he died the 25 Aug. 1554. He married ist the Princess Anne, 3rd 
daughter of Edw. IV., and 2ndly Lady Elizabeth Stafford (eldest daughter 
of Edward 3rd Duke of Buckingham), by whom he had a son Henry, the 
distinguished poet and statesman of whom Sir Egerton Brydges says: 
" Excellent in arts and in arms, a man of learning, a genius, and a hero ; 
of a generous temper and a refined heart ; he united all the gallantry and 
unbroken spirit of a rude age with all the elegance and grace of a polished 
era. With a splendour of descent, in possession of the highest honours 
and abundant wealth, he relaxed not his efforts to deserve distinction by 
his personal worth. Conspicuous in the rough exercises of tilts and 
tournaments, and commanding armies with skill and bravery in expeditions 
against the Scots under his father, he found time, at a period when our 
literature was rude and barbarous to cultivate his mind with all the 
exquisite spirit of the models of Greece and Rome, to catch the excellencies 
of the revived muses of Italy, and to produce in his own language com- 
positions which in simplicity, perspicuity, graceful ornament, and just 
and natural thought, exhibited a shining contrast with the works of his 
predecessors, and an example which his successors long attempted in vain 
to follow." 

Henry Earl of Surrey married Frances daughter of John Vere 15th 
Earl of Oxford, by whom he had a son Thomas who succeeded his 
grandfather in 1554 as 4th Duke. The unjust condemnation of the Earl 
of Surrey and his execution is well known. He suffered in 1547. Thomas 
the 4th Duke suffered a like unfortunate end with his distinguished father, 
for being attainted of high treason in consequence of communications 
made with Mary Queen of Scots, he was beheaded the 2 June 1572, but 
the manor was acquired the previous year by Sir Thomas Rivett, Davy 
says in 1563. Sir Thomas Rivett was an Alderman of London 
and the son of Thomas Rivett of Stowmarket. Sir Thomas levied a 
fine of the manor in 1571 against Thomas Duke of Norfolk.' Sir Thomas 

Fine, Mil; 13 Eliz. 



STOKE BY NAYLAND. 



219 



married first Alice eldest dau. of Sir John Cotton of Landwade and by 
her had 3 daurs. Mirabel married to Charles Heydon of Baconsthorpe 
Norf. : Alice to Thomas son and heir to Sir Gilbert Jarrat Master of the 
Rolls; Isabel who died an infant. Sir Thomas married andly Grissell 
daughter of William Lord Paget'of Beaudesert co. Stafford and died in 
1582 aged 63, being buried in the chancel of the Church of Chippenham, 
when the manor passed to his widow who remarried Sir William 
Waldegrave knt. of Smallbridge. She died the 2ist July, 1600, 
when the manor passed to Ann (the only daughter of Sir Thos. 
Rivett by his 2nd wife), married to Henry Lord Windsor of Bradenham 
co. Buckingham son of Edward Lord Windsor and Catherine dau. of 
John E. of Oxford. Henry Lord Windsor died in 1605, aged about 43, and 
his widow the 27 November 1615 ; and there is in the Church of Nayland a 
grand monument of marble to her memory. She is represented as a 
Baroness in her robes, two females kneeling at her head, one son at her feet, 
with the following inscriptions : 

Fuit hrec Anna Tierona omnibus animae virtutibus corporisque 
dotibus ornatissima, erga Deum religiosa, devota erga virum ; in 
amando constans, in Sanguine conjunctos, in pios praecipue in pauperes 
liberalitate et charitate praecellens insigni, adeo ut mulierculis pauper- 
tate fractis et senio confectis in refrigerium hoc hospitium in hoc 
oppidulo struxit Pensionem annuatim et perpetuo illis providendam 
per testamentum pie et provide curavit. Denique cum ad fatalem suae 
senectutis horam quinquegenaria aut eo circiter pervenisset, animam 
aeterno nomini firma in Christo fide placide et sauviter redd : 
Die Novembris 27 Ann. Salv. 1615. 

Dominus Thomas Windsor Mrestissimus filius chariss : matri hoc 
qualecunque monumentum cum multis lachrymis officiosae pietatis 
monumentum devotissimfc posuit et consecravit. 
Deo opt. max. et memoriae Sacrum. 

Gloriosam in Christo resurrect! onem hie expectat Honoratissima 
D'na Anna Baronessa Windesor filia et una haeredum clarriss : viri 
Thomas Rivett Equitis aurati de Cheepnum in com. Cantabrig. et 
hujus maneni de Stoke Nailand D'ni ex secundis nuptiis Grisildse filiae 
Honoratiss : D'ni Gulielmi Pagett Baronis de Beudesert praenobilis 
ordinis Garteran sodalis, quatiior Principibus Henrico Octavo, 
Edwardo sexto.Mariae et Elizabeths, in sanctiusconsiliumMariasautem 
et in privati sigilli munus asciti, uxor nobilis. Baroriis Henrici Dn'i 
Windsor, cujus et vidua ad extremum usque spiritum intemerata 
remansit, et ex cujus connubio mater plurium liberorum, sed reliquit 
tres tantum superstites, Thomam, scilicet jam Baronem, utriusquc 
Parentis fortunarum et honorum filium et haeredem digniss : et duas 
Filias unius nominis, Elizabethan! seniorem et Elizabetham juniorem. 
Hie tumulata jacet pia, provida, pulchra, pudica 

Religiosa Deo femina, fida viro, 
Indulgens proli miserisque tenerrima mater, 

Ut quibus et moriens hospita tecta dedit. 
Chara suis, dilecta bonis et arnica propinquis, 

Moribus, ingenio, dote, decore potens. 
NobUitate nitens triplici natique virique 

Et quia Pagetti filia, mater erat. 

Cuique eques auratus pater ; heu. non prorogat sevuin, 
Huic genus aut virtus ; hie tumulata jacet. 

The following arms appear on the tomb : i Arms of Windsor. Gules 
a saltire Argent between twelve cross-crosslets or, impaling Samborne, 

1 Though held in high honour by Hen. VIII. he lost his credit with Edw. VI. who 
degraded him from his knighthood of the Garter upon pretence that he Was defective 
in blood and arms for 3 descents. Q. Mary however restored him and he died a 
zealous R. Catholic in 1563 and was buried at Drayton ab. 16 miles from London. 
A monument since destroyed was erected to his memory in Lichfield Cathedral. 



220 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Argent a chevron sable between three mullets gules. 2 Windsor impaling 
Blount, Sable two bars nebulyor. 3 Windsor impaling Rivett , Argent three 
bars sable in chief as many trivets of the last. 4 Windsor impaling Vere, 
Earl of Oxford, Quarterly, gules and or, in the first quarter a mullet of the 
second. 5 Rivett impaling Raven, Or on an orb gules a raven proper. 6 
Rivett impaling Pagett, Sable on a cross engrailed between four eagles dis- 
played argent, five lions passant guardant of the field. 7 Pagett impaling 
Preston, Argent two .bars gules, on a canton of the last a cinquefoil of the 
first. 1 

Thomas, Lord Windsor son and heir was lord in 1655. He sold to 
Thomas (?) Williams, whose son andheir Sir John Williams was Lord Mayor of 
London in 1736, and built the present mansion, which by purchase passed with 
the manor to Sir Wm. Rowley K.B. a distinguished naval commander, a 
lord of the Admiralty in 1751 and Admiral of the Fleet in 1762. He married 
Arabella daughter and heir of George Dawson, captain in the army, and 
dying in 1763 was succeeded by his son Joshua Rowley, Rear-admiral of the 
Red Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet, who giving many proofs of courage 
and conduct during his long services, was created a Baronet the 
10 June 1786. He married Sarah daughter and heir of Bartholomew 
Burton, and dying the 26 Feb. 1590 the manor passed to his eldest son 
Sir William Rowley 2nd Bart, after which the devolution is identical with 
Nayland Manor. 

There is in the Record Office, a Parliamentary petition of one James 
Phenw relating to the manor. 7 And on the Patent Rolls is a grant in 1300 for 
life to William Crisp of the custody of the park of the manor with 2d. a day 
out of the issues. 3 Also on the Patent Rolls of 1303 is a grant to Margaret 
Queen of England of I28/. 6s. lod. for arrears of farm of manor. 4 Also on 
the Close Rolls in 1328 is a Survey of the King's mills of the manor. 5 

A manor called Stoke Nayland Manor without any distinguishing 
name is mentioned from the time of Edw. III. to the reign of Hen. VIII. 
This belonged to Geffrey le Scrope, 6 who was in 17 Edw. III. constituted 
Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench, but resigned his judicial office 
on going abroad on the King's affairs. He attained the rank of banneret 
and married Ivetta daughter of William Rosse of Igmanthorpe. 7 He died 
about 1340, and this manor passed to his son Henry le Scrope, who in the 
early part of the reign of Edw. III. was engaged in the Scottish wars and 
was summoned to Parliament as a Baron. 

On the Patent Rolls of Hen. VI. it is stated that this Henry le 
Scrope had the manor by gift of John de Gunwardeby in 1351 by name of 
" all his manor of Neyland with its members in Stoke . . . Wyslon 
and Levenesheth whereof 120 messuages 10 tofts, 200 acres of land 10 of 
meadow, 100 of pasture and 20/." As Geffrey le Scrope had the manor 
prior to 1335 this deed of gift in 25 Edw. III. seems strange, but possibly 
one of the parties had a limited interest only. In the Inquis. p.m. of 
Lord le Scrope in 1392 part only of the manor seems to be included and 
an extent given. Lord le Scrope served as an ambassador and was 
one of those selected to negotiate with Charles King of Navarre, 
touching a league between that prince and Richard II. He died 1391 and 
was succeeded by his son Sir Stephen le Scrope 2nd Baron. He was 

1 Suffolk Institute, vol. iv. pp. 194, 195. * Close Rolls, 18 Edw. II. 12. 
' No. 6703 D.K.R. 34. App. p. 115. * See Nayland Manor in this Hundred. 

Pat. Rolls, 28 Edw. I. 12. ' I.P.M., 9 Edw. III. (and nos.) 32. 

4 Pat. Rolls, 31 Edw. I. 34. 




o 

d 

X 

I 

_ 

3 



STOKE BY NAYLAND. 221 

knighted for his services during his father's lifetime, and married Margery 
widow of John son of Sir William de Huntingford knt., and dying in 1406 
the manor passed to his eldest son Henry 3rd Baron, who was found 
guilty of high treason as mentioned in the account of Nayland Manor, and 
lost his head in the month of August 1415. He married ist Philippa 
daughter of Sir Guy de Brian, and 2ndly Joane Duchess of York, sister and 
coheir of Edmund Holland Earl of Kent, but had no issue. He was 
succeeded by his brother Sir John Scrope who obtained from the King a 
grant of the lands which had gone to the Crown on the attainder of his 
brother Henry Lord Scrope to hold for 4 years, and later obtained a 
restoration of the inheritance. In 1425 a commission was constituted to 
determine whether this manor had been entailed on Henry Lord le Scrope 
his grandfather and the heirs of his body and whether he (Sir John) was 
entitled notwithstanding the forfeiture for high treason 3 Hen. against 
Henry Lord le Scrope. 1 The manor is mentioned in the Inq. p.m. of Sir 
John Wingfield in 1480,* and was in 1545 granted to John Foster and 
Richard Marden. 3 It is apparently the manor in respect of which a fine was 
levied in 1576 by John Ive and others against William Dawtrey junior, 4 and 
in 1582 by Edward Rookewood against Sir Thomas Danby (? Dantrey). 5 

Arms of Rowley : Argent on a bend engrailed between two crows, 
sable, three escallops of the field. 

GIFFORD'S HALL. 

In 1281 the Patent Rolls show that there was an action pending 
between Roger le Chaumberleyn and Thomas Gifford touching a way 
stopped in Stoke,' and in 1287 Wm. Gifford had a grant of free warren here. 
On his death in 1310 the manor passed to Thomas Gifford, on whose decease 
in 1318 it passed to his son and heir William who had a grant of free warren 
and presented to Nayland in 1312, 1328, and 1340. Robert Gifford was the 
next lord and he presented to the living in 1353. In 1377 Simon Burley 
held the manor, and had a grant of free warren. 7 ' The following year, being 
a knight, he levied a fine of the manor against Robert Crull clerk, William 
Reade clerk and John Chaumberleyn chaplain. 9 The manor next passed to 
John Withermarsh who died in 1395, and it went to his son and heir Richard 
Withermarsh who in 1427 levied a fine of the manor and the manors of 
Holton Hall and Ingrames and the advowson of Holton Church 
against William Stonham of Hadleigh and Margaret his wife, Nicholas 
Colloppe of Aldham and Cristine his wife, and William Mathe .... of 
Langham. 10 In 1428 Philip Mannock purchased the manor from the 
Crown and that family held the same subsequently for many generations. 
The Mannocks had resided in the neighbourhood since the time of Edw. 
III. and are stated to have come originally from Denmark and to have 
flourished in this country under the Danish kings. On Philip Mannock's 
death the manor passed to his son and heir John Mannock who married the 
daughter of Sir Thos. Waldegrave knt. and had a son George who succeeded 
his father at his death in 1476." George Mannock married Katherine 
daughter of Sir Wm. Waldegrave knt. and dying in 1541 the manor passed to 
his eldest son William Mannock. In 1549 William levied a fine of the manor 

' Pat. Rolls, 3 Hen. VI. pt. i. 8d. ' Chart. Rolls, i Rich. II. 5. 

' I.P.M., 2i Edw. IV. 59. " Gyffords and Hallymote Manor, Wattis- 

3 Originalia, 37 Hen. VIII. 5 Pars Rot. 117. field, in Blackbourn Hundred. 

4 Fine, Hil. 18 Eliz. ; Mich. 18, 19 Eliz. 9 Feet of Fines, 3 Rich. II. 13. 

5 Fine, Easter, 24 Eliz. 10 Fine, 5 Hen. VI. 21. 

' Pat. Rolls, 9 Edw. I. gd. " I.P.M., 16 Edw. IV. 76. 



222 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

against Francis Mannock,' and married Audrey daughter of John Alington, 
and sister of the last Sir Giles Alington of Horseheath co. Cambridge. He died 
the 8 July 1558,* when the manor passed to his son and heir Francis Mannock. 
In the Inquisition post mortem of the last-mentioned Wm. Mannock it is 
set forth that he died seised of the manor of Holton Hall, Raymes, Giffords, 
and Chamberlains in Stoke Neyland, and that Francis Mannock his son and 
heir was five years old. The following year a fine was levied in respect 
of all these manors by John Wynterflod against the said Francis Mannock. 5 
Francis Mannock levied a fine of the manor in 1569 against Robert Bell 
and others/ and in 1570 was called upon to shew by what title he held this 
manorand also the Rectory.' Francis married Mary daughter of William Fitch 
of Canfield co. Essex and dying on the 3 November 1590 in his 68th year 
was buried in the Church of Nayland. Upon a plate of brass on the north 
aisle of the chancel is the following : 

Quid dant Divitia; Crassi, Craesive Talenta ? 
Quid juvat immensus tantus et orbis honor ? 
Oiniu'a vilescunt, quze more rapit ore voraci : 
Virtutis solids; Vita perennis erit. 




GIFFOID'S MAI L 

The manor passed to Francis's eldest son William. He was a recusant, 
and in 1596 Queen Elizabeth let to R. Croft two-thirds of the estate " in the 
possession of William Mannock guilty of recusancy." In 1602 King James 
the First granted a general pardon for all crimes and forfeits to the said Wm. 
Mannock,but in 1612 two-thirds of the estate were again forfeited for recusancy. 
William married Audrey eldest daughter of Ferdinand Parys ofLinton co. 
Cambridge, and died the 24 March 1616 aged 60 ; and in the Church of Stoke 
by Nayland is a stone to his memory without any brass thus inscribed : 

Hie jacet antiqua ducens ab origine gen tern 

Mannockus priscis adnumerandus avis ; 
Qui Gulielmus erat Francisci maximus revo 

Filius, ac hseres jure tenebat opes. 
Unica multiplici faciebat prole beatuin 

Uxor, et ilia uno consociata virp. 
De liberis propero cessit pars maxima letho, 

Filia j am superest fratribus una tribus. 
En ! ut quisque pias tollens ad sidera palmas 

Unanimo tantos lundat ab ore sonos, 
" Sit requies animx " veniens hoc turba precetur 

Quid vetat extinctis mitia vota dare ? 
Obiit 24 die Martii, Anno 1616, aetatis suse 60. 

Fine, Mil. 3 Edw. VI. 4 Fine, Hil. n Eli*. 

I.P.M., 5 and 6 P. and M. 65. 5 Memoranda, 12 Eliz. Hil. Rec. Rot. 46. 

J Fine, Hil. i Eli*. 



STOKE BY NAYLAND. 223 

He was followed by his son and heir Sir Francis Mannock created a Bart, 
by Chas I. in 1627. The very same year however an Inquisition was ordered 
to be taken of his estate for recusancy. He married Dorothy daughter of 
William Sanders of Wilford co. Northampton and died the 20th November 
1634 aged 49. There is a monument of various marbles to his memory in 
Nayland Church against the north wall with the inscription : 

In pious and deserved memory 
of S r Francis Mannock Baronet 

Whose Ancestors long since derived from Denmark and in 

England called Lords of Mannock's Manor (now called great 

Gravensden in the Countie of Huntington) the still continued 

Inheritance of theyr Families : have also for many ages been Lords 

and Inhabitants of this Manor of Gifford's Hall in this Parish. 
Whose religious Conversation made him reverenced of all : whose Candor 

of mind, Sweetness of Manner, generous Hospitalitie, made 
his Life loved and honoured by the Rich ; whose bountifull Charitie made 
his Death lamented by the Poor. 

Eccl" 5 . viii ; 

Sunt optanda magis purae bona nomina vitse 
Nobilis unguenti quam pretiosus odor. 

On a marble slab with a figure in brass of a female is this inscription 
to his wife : 

D. O. M. 

Atrato hoc marmore velatur et ssepe ad invidiam dolentium 
defletur humanitus perillustris fseminse et elegantis Dorothae Sanders : 
conjux fuit nobilissimi viri Francisci Mannock Baronetti quern prole 
beavit mascula, et ne sexus videretur oblita sui, filiam reliquit in cunis 
Annam. 

Lugent nee immerito talem maritus conjugem, filii talem matrem, 
Lugebit et olim filia orbitatis conscia, nee est qui non lugebit, novit qui 
datum tamque cito repetitum hoc donum Dei. 

Debitum na'ae (naturae) Solvens exivit 
Septimo eid. Julij anno Incarnati verbi. 

MDCXXXII. 
Suae aetatis 42. Conjugii 24. 

Sir Francis left three sons, Sir Francis Mannock to whom the manor passed, 
John and William, and one dau. Anne. The second Sir Francis married Mary 
eldest dau. of Sir George Heneage of Hainton in the county of Lincoln knt. 

Sir Francis and his lady are both stated to be recusants in the State Papers 
in 1639,' an d in 1649 Sir Francis's estate being under sequestration Sir George 
Heneage his son-in-law entered upon part in order to raise money for the 
younger children's portions. In 1650 a decree was made of the Committee 
of the House of Commons for levying the sequestration and ordering the 
judgments of the visitation of Sir George Heneage for provision for the 
children with orders to bring them up in the Protestant religion. Amongst 
the State Papers is an order this year summoning Sir Francis to shew cause 
why his estate settled on Sir George Heneage (his wife's father) should not be 
sequestered. 1 In 1658 Richard Cromwell granted a release of the estate 
sequestered for recusancy to Richard Waterman on the payment to the 
Exchequer of one hundred and fifty pounds yearly. 

On the death of Sir Francis Mannock in 1687 the manor passed to his 
son and heir Sir William 3rd Bart, who dying in 171^ the manor passed to 
Sir Francis Mannock 4th Bart, who dying in 1758 it passed to Sir 
William Mannock 5th Bart. On the death of Sir William in 1764 the manor 
passed to his son and heir Sir Wm. Anthony Mannock 6th Bart, and on his 
death in 776 to his uncle Sir Francis Mannock 7th Bart, who died in 1778 
without issue leaving Thomas his brother and heir who succeeded to the 

' State Papers, 1639, 427. a State Papers, Cal. of Compounders, 1650,2230. 



224 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

title as 8th Bart, and died in 1781 without issue when the manor passed 
to Sir George the gth Bart, who was killed by the overturning of the Dover 
mail June 3, 1787, and dying without issue the baronetcy expired. 

The manor in 1787 came into the possession of William Comyns who 
assumed the name of Mannock. He died in 1819 leaving no issue and the 
manor devolved upon Patrick Power, who likewise assumed the name of 
Mannock by royal licence in 1830. The connection of the Powers with 
the Mannocks arose through marriage with the Strickland family. Patrick 
Mannock married Catherine daughter of Nicholas Power. 

Gifford's Hall is a fine remnant of a baronial residence, part dating 
from the time of Hen. VI. The gateway which is castellated is stated to 
have been erected by Peter Gifford, a distant relative of AnneBullen. The 
house surrounds a quadrangular court. The mouldings and spandrels of 
the doorways are fashioned in brick. Opposite to the entrance are some 
remains of an old chapel. The dining hall has a fine open timber roof 
and minstrels' gallery. The Hall is owned and now occupied by James 
Winter Brittain. 

In a paper in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute (vol. iv. p. 198) 
it is said that Peter Giffard in the reign of Hen. III. probably built the 
older part of the present mansion, the hall with its fine oak roof and the 
butteries. " These," says the writer, " are of earlier date than the entrance 
tower ; this which is of brick with the moulding of the windows, the doors 
and the arch over the door is of the Tudor age and must have been built 
by the Mannocks. Opposite the entrance are the remains of an old chapel 
dedicated to St. Nicolas. Richard Constable in the year 1216 built this 
chapel close by his house. It was amply endowed by his son William 
Constable." 

Arms of Mannock : Sable, a cross formec flory arg. 

LEVENHEY al. NETHERHALL MANOR. 

From the Domesday tenant this manor passed to his son R. de Essex, 
and his son Henry forfeited in 1165. It next appears to have belonged 
to William de Crikett and to have passed from him to his son William who 
died in 1298. He was succeeded by his son William de Crickett and he and 
his wife Joan had free warren here in 1309, in which year he died and was 
succeeded by his son William de Crickett who died in 1343, when the manor 
passed to his son Sir William de Crickett who died in 1354, when it went to 
his son and heir William de Crickett who died without issue. 

In the time of Hen. VI. the manor was vested in Sir Richard Walde- 
grave, at whose death it went to his brother Sir Thomas, and at his death 
to his son and heir Sir William. Sir William Waldegrave died the 30 Jan. 
1527,' and the manor passed to his son and heir George Waldegrave who 
died the 8 July 1528," when it went to his son and heir Sir William. 3 Sir 
William Waldegrave died the 7 Nov. 1554,' when the manor vested in his 
son and heir Sir William Waldegrave. A fine however was levied of the 
manor in 1548 by Ralph Gyfford against John Beaumonte and others, 5 
and in 1551 by the said Ralph Gyfford against George Foster of a moiety. 6 
In 1574 we find amongst the Chancery Pleadings relating to the Duchy of 
Lancaster an action by Edward Baeshe against Thomas Revett " as grantee 

I.P.M., 19 Hen. VIII. 44. I.P.M., i and 2 P. and M. 92: 

' I.P.M., 20 Hen. VIII. 18. Fine, Trin. 2 Edw. VI. 

] I.P.M., 20 Hen. VIII. 18, Fine, Easter, 5 Edw. VI. 



STOKE BY NAYLAND. 



225 



of the Crown on attainder of the Duke of Norfolk as to lands in Netherhall 
in Stoke Manor." 1 Amongst the Additional Charters in the Brit. Mus. 
is a precipe on a covenant in 1593 concerning " Lavenhey al. Netherhall 
Manor in Stoke by Nayland," 2 which fine was duly levied the same year 
by Thomas Hopper against Sir W. Waldegrave and others. 3 In 1620 the 
manor appears to have become vested in Geoffrey Little sen. and Geoffrey 
Little jun., and later to have passed to Sir Joshua Rowley who died in 
1798, after which the descent of the manor is identical with that of the main 
manor. 

Amongst the Harleian Charters in the Brit. Mus. is a lease of land in 
;< Levenhey in Stoke Nayland " by St. Osyth Priory early I3th cent. ; 4 and 
in the Record Office a fine between John Beaumont and others quser. 
and John Peryent and other def. of one-third of this manor, 5 and another 
between Rad. Gyfford quaer. and John Beaumont and others def. of half 
of the manor in I548. 6 

SCOTLAND HALL MANOR. 

John de Scotland, who held this lordship, died in 1334, and it then 
passed to his son and heir William de Scotland by deed 9 Edw. III. [1335] 
who gave it to his mother Margaret who remarried Robert de Roke- 
wode, and they held it in 1357. It passed to Thomas de Rokewode son 
and heir of Robert in 1359 and he died without issue, when it went to his 
brother and heir John. John de Rookwode represented the county in 
Parliament in the 34 and 42 years of Edw. III. [1360 and 1369]. He 
married Joan dau. of Sir Robert Swynborne. On John de Rookwode's 
death the manor passed to his son and heir John de Rookwode who married 
Eleanor daughter of Sir William Burgate and Eleanor Vis-de-Lau. This last 
John died without issue. The last John Rokewode's brother William 
Rokewode of Stanningfield succeeded in 1436, and married Elizabeth dau. 
of Sir Henry Coggeshall, and on his death the manor passed to his son and 
heir William who married Elizabeth dau. of Thomas Tyrrell and at his death 
went to his son and heir Thomas Rokewode. Thomas Rokewod married 
Anne daughter of John Clopton of Kentwell, and dying 8 April 1520, 7 
the manor passed to his son John Rokewod who resided at Coldham Hall 
in Stanningfield, and married Elizabeth daughter of Clement Higham of 
Wickhambrook. He died the n April 1521," when the manor passed to his 
widow Elizabeth for life and afterwards to their son Robert Rokewode who 
married first Anne daughter of Nicholas Ashton of Lane., and 2ndly Agnes, 
daughter of Thos. Sporne of Lavenham, by whom he had a son Robert 
Rokewode. Robert married first Bridget daughter of Edmund Kempe of 
London, and 2ndly Dorothy, daughter of Sir William Drury of Hawsted 
knt. Robert the father died in 1566, but previously in 1563 on the 
marriage of his son Robert with the daughter of Sir Wm. Drury he had 
joined with his son in granting the manor to the wife of the latter. 9 Robert 
Rokewode the son died in 1600. This year Henry Rokewode, son and 

' Duchy of Lane., Cal. to Pleadings, 16 ' A fine was levied of the manor in 1563 

Eliz. 21. by Christopher Haydon against 

' Add. Ch. 25482. the said Robert Rokewood (Fine, 

1 Fine, Mich. 35, 36 Eliz. Easter, 5 Eliz.) ; in 1593 by Richard 

4 Harl. 44 C. 16. Martyn against Rookwood 

5 28 Hen. VIII. 1536. (Fine, Hil. 33 Eliz.) ; and in 1599 by 

6 2 Edw. VI. Sir John Heigham and others 
1 I.P.M., 12 Hen. VIII. 29. against Robert Rookewoode and 
I.P.M., 13 Hen. VIII. 125. others (Fine, Easter, 41 Eliz.). 

ci 



226 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

heir of Robert Rokewode the son, had the lordship and died without issue, 
and Ambrose his brother and heir being implicated in the Gunpowder Plot 
was convicted of treason and executed at Tyburn in 1605, leaving by 
Elizabeth his wife dau. of Robert Tyrwytt of Ketleby co. Lincoln a son 
Robert. Ambrose's offence was having concealed the knowledge of some 
part of the plot communicated to him and Sir Everard Digby by his friend 
Catesby. Sir Robert Rokewode the son of Ambrose was a faithful adherent 
of Charles I. He married Mary dau. of Sir Robert Townsend of Ludlow, co. 
Salop, and died in June 1679. Two of his sons he lost in the Royal cause, one 
of them, Capt. Robert Rokewode, being killed at Oxford, and the other, 
Capt. William Rokewode, at Alresford. They were altogether an unfor- 
tunate family, and a grandson of this Sir Robert Rokewode, also bearing 
the unfortunate name of Ambrose, after having held a command in the 
Guards Brigadier-General in the time of James II., was executed like 
his great-grandfather and namesake at Tyburn in 1696, for having been 
implicated in the treason known as the Barclay conspiracy. The late Mr. 
Tymms in a paper on Coldham Hall mentions that at the place of execution 
he delivered to the Sheriff a paper in which he says : 

" I do with all truth and sincerity declare and avow I never knew, 
saw, or heard of any order or commission from King James for the 
assassination of the Prince of Orange and attacking his guards, but I am 
certainly informed he had rejected proposals of that nature when made 
unto him. Nor do I think he knew the least of the particular design for 
attacking the guards at his landing, in which I was engaged as a soldier, 
by my immediate commander (much against my judgment). But his 
soldier I was, and as such I was to obey and act. Near twelve years I 
have served my true king and master, K. James, and freely now lay 
down my life in his cause. I ever abhorr'd a treacherous aclion to an 
enemy. If it be a guilt to have complied with what I thought, and still 
think, to have been my duty, I am guilty. No other guilt do I own. As 
I beg of all to forgive me, so I forgive all from my heart, even the Prince 
of Orange, who, as a soldier, ought to have considered my case before he 
signed the warrant for my death. I pray God to open his eyes and render 
him sensible of the much blood, from all parts, crying out against him, so 
to prevent a heavier execution hanging over his head than what he inflicts 



on me." 



The arms of Rokewode : Argent, six chess rooks, three, two, one, sable. 

In 1536 John Beaumount levied a fine of a 3rd of the part of the 
manor against John Paryent and others. 1 In 1814 we find the manor 
vested in Wm. Valentine Comyns Mannock. 

WlTHERMARSH MANOR. 

This manor was one of those held by Robert Suane's father before 
the Conquest and continued to be held by the son notwithstanding the 
change of dynasty in consequence of the aid rendered by the family to 
William the Conqueror. The manor consisted of 4 carucates with soc. 
In Saxon times there were 27 villeins, 32 bordars, 2 slaves, 3 ploughteams 
in demesne, 13 belonging to the men, i mill, and 30 acres of meadow, 
valued at 10 pounds. By the time of the Domesday Survey the value 
had risen to 12 pounds, and there were 2 horses, 20 beasts, 24 hogs, 15 
fore t mares, and 80 sheep, but there were 3 villeins and 5 bordars 

Fine, Mich. 28 Hen. VIII. 



STOKE BY NAYLAND. 227 

fewer, and i slave only, while the ploughteams in demesne had come down 
by one, and those belonging to the men had fallen from 13 to 8. The 
length of the manor was 8 quarantenes and the breadth 4, and it paid in 
a gelt 20^.' 

Davy seems to think that the manor was called Netherhall Wither- 
marsh Manor, but this does not appear to have been the case. Netherhall 
Manor was the same as Levenhey. This manor passed from the Domesday 
tenant, as did the last manor treated of, to his son Robert and 
grandson Henry, when it was forfeited. In the time of Henry the second 
Umfreda de Winewershe widow seems to have held this manor. In 1320 
Roger de Withermarsh held it, and in 1371 Rich. Withermersh. 

I n I 553 George Bacon and Margaret his wife, daughter and heir of 
John Abell, had a grant of the manor, 2 and in 1563 Sir Thos. Revett held it 
by grant. The manor then probably descended through the Waldegraves 
and Windsors to the Rowleys, as in the case of Tendring Hall Manor, the 
title to which has been already deduced. 

CAPEL MANOR. 

This manor is unnoticed by Davy, but clearly had a separate existence, 
and was at an early period in the possession of a family of the name of 
Capel. Hen. I. gave Jakeham to Hugh Capel by the service of two knights' 
fees, and Sir Richard de Capel was Lord Justice of Ireland in 1261. John 
Capel of Stoke Nayland died seised of this manor in 1449 and his will 
dated the 4th April 1449' was proved the 14 June the same year. By his 
wife Joan he left three sons and a daughter all under age. John the 
eldest inherited this manor. William the second son was a member of 
the Drapers' Company, an eminent merchant, and acquired an immense 
fortune. At the coronation of Henry VII. he was knighted, served the 
office of Sheriff of London in 1489, of Lord Mayor in 1503, and was repre- 
sentative in Parliament of that city from 1491 to 1514. It is recorded of 
Sir William that Empson and Dudley, emissaries of Hen. VII. under some 
pretence or other extorted from him the sum of 1,600 to enrich the Treasury 
of the Exchequer, and demanded a like sum a few years afterwards under 
the pretence that during his mayoralty he did not duly punish a party 
who had been accused before him of coining false money, " though," as one 
chronicler says, " he was indeed guilty of no other fault but that God had 
filled his coffers." Knowing his innocence of the charge he refused to pay, 
for which he was committed to the Tower where he remained until the 
death of the King, which fortunately for the prisoner occurred the same 
year. On the accession of Hen. VIII. he was released from confinement 
without payment of the illegal fine, and Dudley being committed for his 
great oppressions, both he and Empson soon lost their heads under a des- 
potism which brooked no rival. Sir William Capel, who was ancestor of 
the Earls of Essex, married Margaret daughter of Sir Thomas Arundel knt. 
of Lanhern in Cornwall, ancestor of the Lords Arundel of W T ardour and 
Trericeand died on the 6th of September 1515. He was buried in a chapel 
of his own founding in St. Bartholomew's Church near the Royal Exchange, 
London. 

A " Capell Manor " is mentioned in the Inquisition p.m. of James 
Hubert who died the 24 Feb. 1517, being then found seised of the same, 
when it passed to Walter Hubert his son and heir. 4 

' Dom. ii. 401. 3 28 Hen. VI. 

Originalia, I Mary, 4 Pars Rot. 45. 4 I.P.M., 9 Hen. VIII: 251 



228 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

CHAMBERLAIN'S MANOR. 

This manor was vested in Ralph le Chamberlaine in the time of Hen. 
III. The Chamberlain family, from whom no doubt the name was derived, 
were settled in the parish at even an earlier date.' Davy says he was 
succeeded by his son and heir Sir Thos. le Chamberlaine ; but we find in 
1275 Roger le Chamberlein holding land here, and bringing an action against 
John de Tendring touching common of pasture in Stoke, 1 and in 1281 against 
Thomas Giffard touching a way stopped up there. 5 This Roger le Cham- 
berlaine was, according to Davy, the son and heir of Sir Thos. and died in 
1319 seised of the manor, 4 which passed to his son and heir Richard le Cham- 
berlaine, 5 and it fs in 1341 mentioned in the Inquis. p.m. of Alice, the 
wife of the said Richard le Chamberlaine. 6 This Richard le Chamberlaine 
seems to have parted with a portion of his estate in 1325, and to have 
settled the remainder in 1334, for on the Originalia Rolls in 1325 is a 
licence to him to enfeoff John de Kersey chaplain, of one messuage, 60 acres 
of land, 10 of meadow, 20 of pasture, 3 of wood, and 405. rent in Stoke 
Neyland, Hegham, and Shelley ; 7 and on the Patent Rolls in 1334 is a licence 
for him to enfeoff Nicholas atte Pond chaplain of 5 messuages, 100 acres 
of land, 10 of meadow, 25 of pasture, 3 of wood, and 405. rent in these same 
places, said to be held in chief as of the Honor of Raleigh, then in the King's 
hands, and for him to regrant to him, Alice his wife and his heirs. 8 Alice, 
Richard's widow, died in 1341, and the manor passed to her son Roger 
Chamberlaine, who was succeeded by his son and heir Ralph Chamberlaine. 
A fine was levied in 1365 of the manor of Stoke Nayland, probably meaning 
this manor, by Robert Crull parson of Swanescombe Church, Roger Savale 
parson of Stratford Church, and John Chamberlain chaplain, against 
Bernard Donat and Cecilia his wife. 9 The manor may then have 
descended for a time like the manors of Throgton in Thorpe Morieux in 
Cosford Hundred and like Gedding Manor in Thedwestry Hundred through 
the Chamberlain family. 

In 1558 the manor was held by William Mannock, who died this year, 10 
and it passed to Francis Mannock, who died seised of it in 1590. At the 
end of Queen Elizabeth's reign, her majesty leased to Richard Croft 2 
parts of " Gifford's and Chamberleins." In 1805 the manor was vested in 
William Mannock, and descended in the same mode as the Manor of Giffords. 

The manor is included in a fine levied of the manor in 1559 by John 
Wynterflod against Francis Mannock." 

CAUSER'S, PEACHAM'S, OR SHARDELOWE'S MANOR. 

Edmund de Shardelowe in 1288 had lands held of him here ; and in 1563 
Sir Thos. Revett had a grant of the manor, according to the Davy MSS . 
Mr. Davy considers that after this the manor probably descended as did the 
manor of Tendring Hall. The manor of Shardelowes is mentioned in the 
Inquisition p.m. of Roger Darcy who died the 3 Sept. 1507 leaving Thomas his 
son and heir," and also in a suit as to tithes between Peter Baker and Wm. 

' Rad. le Chamberlane, I.P.M., /. Hen. III. ' O., 6 Edw. III. 

18. Pat. Rolls, 8 Edw. III. pt. ii. 32. 

Pat. Rolls, 3 Edw. I. 4^. Feet of Fines, 39 Edw. III. 2. 

Pat. Rolls, 9 Edw. I. gd. "> I.P.M., 6 P. and M. 

I.P.M., 13 Edw. II. 6. " Fine, Hil. i Eliz. 

I.Q.D., 17 Edw. II. 95. ' I.P.M., 24 Hen. VII. 80. 
I.P.M., 15 Edw. III. 3. 



STOKE BY NAYLAND. 229 

Mannock and others 37 Eliz., particulars of which suit are to be found amongst 
the Exchequer Depositions, and this fact seems to operate somewhat against 
the idea of a grant of the manor in 1563 to Sir Thos. Revett. 

DOUNES MANOR. 

There was in Stoke by Nayland apparently a manor of the name of 
Dounes or Dounings of which Sir Robert Reyton died seised the 27 March 
1518 leaving Robert his son and heir 20 years of age and upwards ;' possibly 
this was the manor of " Stoke juxta Nayland " of which Sir Richard 
Corbett died seised the 25 June 1524 leaving Richard his son and heir. * 

STOKE RECTORY MANOR. 

Davy states that the Priory of Prithlewell had the advowson in 1301, 
rather inferring that it then obtained the same ; but amongst the 
Bodleian Charters is a deed dated nearly a hundred years earlier, probably 
about 1220, reciting the appropriation of the Church of Stoke Nayland 
with the Chapel of Eylond by Pandulph Bp. elect of Norwich to the Priory. 3 
Ministers' accounts while the manor was in the possession of the Priory 
18 Edw. II. will be found in the Public Record Office. 4 There are letters 
patent of Edw. III. confirming a composition between the Bp. of Norwich 
and the Priory of " Priterwell " relating to the patronage, 5 and presentations 
were made by the Priory as late as the year 1510. In 1536 the presentation 
was made by the Crown, and in 1546 the Crown granted the manor to Thos. 
Thorowgood and John Foster, and it was in 1551 sold to Thomas Wiseman, 
who sold in 1563 to Robert Bell and Dorothy his wife. They had licence 
to alienate to Francis Mannock, of which they availed themselves and con- 
veyed to him. He died in 1590, when the manor passed to his son and 
heir William Mannock. From this time the lordship probably descended 
in the same manner as Gifford's Hall Manor, but it seems that Paul Viscount 
Bayning died seised of the Rectory of Stoke 5 Charles I. 

Amongst the Hatfield MSS. 6 is a letter from Thomas Browne to 
Sir Robert Cecil in which he asks for a letter to the Lord Chief Justice 
of England on behalf of Ralph Agas, " a skilful surveyor of lands, dwelling at 
Stoke next Neyland in Suffolk well reputed of my late good lord, very 
careful of her Majesty's profit and renown, and of my lord and your Honour's 
report and dignity. He hath used means to have some punished for their 
unloyal speeches of her Majesty. He hath reproved others for their un- 
dutiful regard of your Honour. For this, and for his diligent pains and care 
in settling forth a concealed ward's lands for me (which is the only grant 
I ever obtained in my Lord's service, and hath cost me above 200, well 
known to Mr. Gilbert Wakering, escheator of the same county last year, 
and neither can get possession of body or lands to this present for want of 
help from Her Majesty's Court of Wards, yet through those my expenses 
in discovering the original grant of the manor of Neyland, her Majesty 
hath recovered 37 tenures, and four several offices thereof already found and 
many other tenures and offices thereof are like presently to ensue) the said 
Ralph's adversaries, immediately upon report of my Lord's departure, 
commenced many slanderous and unjust suits against him, and having 
made extreme and grievous riots against him and his family yet they shame 

' I.P.M., 10 Hen. VIII. I. ' Bundle 1127, No. 4. 

" I.P.M., 16 Hen. VIII. 31. * 16 Edw. III., Bodl. Ch. 221. 

3 Bodl. Ch. 220. 6 Rep. Hist. Com. pt. ix. 63. 



230 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

not to make Agas and his family the first authors thereof. Albeit his cause 
be so just as his counsel hereabove doth inform him that he hath the 
advantage of capital law against many of them, yet his estate being weak 
and wholly beggared with his suits, he would rather leave off, though 
with his utter undoing, having a wife and six poor children depending 
only upon his labour and travail, if so be his adversaries' extreme malice 
might by any means be appeased. But they, presuming upon their wealth 
and countenance, give forth that nothing shall content them but to have 
poor Agas his carcase to perish in prison. The matter is to be heard about 
14 days hence at the next assize at Bury, where Agas in his poverty getting 
no counsel to speak for him, and his own speech being easily quenched, he 
and one of his sons, in their just cause, shall be condemned to perpetual 
prison. Yet I do assure you of the equity of his cause, and were the Lord 
Chief Justice prepared and possessed of the weightiness and heinousness 
thereof, by your letter to be delivered to him at the assize from my hands, 
then should poor Agas not only escape the fury of his adversaries but 
their mischief should return upon their own heads." 

The 9 Feb. 1598-9. 

Which manor of Stoke by Nayland is referred to is not easy to 
determine. 




SUDBURY. 231 



SUDBURY. 

IUDBURY was at the time of the Domesday Survey returned 
as part of Thingoe Hundred, though it had no local con- 
nection with it, and is now part of the Hundred of Babergh. 
The town was parcel of the estate of Earl Morcar forfeited 
to the Conqueror. It was the land really of Alvera 
mother of Earl Morchar, and at the time of the Survey 
was in the hands of William the Chamberlain and Otho the 
goldsmith on behalf of the King. In the Confessor's time the demesne 
lands consisted of 3 carucates of land, with i villein, 63 burgesses, living at the 
Hall or Manor House, 6 serfs, 3 ploughteams in demesne, and 55 burgesses 
in demesne with 2 carucates of land. These had 4 ploughteams. There 
was also the Church of St. Gregory, with 50 acres of free land and 25 acres 
of meadow. Likewise a mill, 2 horses in demesne at the Hall, 17 beasts, 
23 hogs, 100 sheep, and 8 acres of meadow in the borough, and one 
market and money coiners. The value of the whole was 18 pounds, which 
by the time of the Survey had risen to 28, but the only changes in the 
particulars from Saxon times was an extra villein and 4 serfs less. The 
length was 4 quarantenes, and the breadth 3, and it paid in a gelt 5 shillings. 
There was also a soc in the town. 1 

MANOR OF SUDBURY. 

In parcelling out the lands he had acquired, the Conqueror allotted the 
Manor of Sudbury with 94 manors besides in Suffolk to Richard Fitz Gilbert 
or de Clare afterwards Earl of Gloucester and Hertford. It formed portion of 
the great Honor of Clare and was held of the Crown as part of the Duchy of 
Lancaster. Richard Fitz Gilbert was joined with William de Warren in 
the important office of Justiciary of England in 1073. He fixed his residence 
shortly before the Domesday Survey at Tunbridge in Kent and in the 
Survey is called " Ricardus de Tonebruge." He married Robesia daughter 
of Walter Gifford ist Earl of Buckingham and is said to have fallen in a 
skirmish with the Welsh, when the manor passed to his son Gilbert de 
Tonebruge. He joined in the rebellion of Robert de Mowbray, Earl of 
Northumberland, but it is narrated that observing that his sovereign Wm. 
Rufus was about to fall into an ambush, he relented, warned the King, 
saved him, and was pardoned. He married Adeliza daughter of the Earl of 
Claremont, and was succeeded by his eldest son Richard de Clare, Earl of 
Hertford. 2 He distinguished himself in the wars in Wales, and vastly 
increased his family possessions in those parts. He took to wife Alice sister 
of Ranulph de Gernon, 2nd Earl of Chester, and the manor passed on his 
being killed in Wales the 15 April 1136 to his son Gilbert de Clare 2nd Earl 
of Hertford. 3 Gilbert is called " Earl " of Clare in 1136. This nobleman was 
a hostage for his uncle the Earl of Chester. In 1145 joining the rebellion 
in the time of Stephen he was taken prisoner, and confined until he had 
consented to relinquish his many strongholds. He died in 1152 without 
issue, and was succeeded by his brother Roger de Clare 3rd Earl of Hertford. 
In the time of Hen. II. this Roger was summoned by Thomas a Becket, 
the celebrated Archbp. of Canterbury to do homage to his Grace for the 

1 Dom. ii. 2866. 3 See Bures Manor in this Hundred. 

' See Round's Geoffrey de Mandeville, p. 40. 



232 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Castle of Toneburge, but at the command of the King he refused, alleging 
that " holding it by military service, it belonged rather to the Crown than 
to the Church." The Castle had been exchanged by Roger's great grand- 
father Richard, with the Archbp. of Canterbury, for the Castle of Brion. 
Roger de Clare was commander of the royal army against the Welsh in 1157, 
andmarriedist a daur. of Payne, Sheriff co. Salop, and andly Maude daughter 
of James de St. Hilary. On his death in 1173, the manor passed to his son 
Richard de Clare 4th Earl of Hertford, who married Amicia 2nd daughter 
and coheir of Wm. Fitz-Robert, Earl of Gloucester. 

It would seem that Sudbury, at least the town, was settled on this 
marriage, which was subsequently dissolved ; for in the Abbreviation of 
Pleas i John we see a trial as to whether " Amice " formerly wife of Earl 
Richard de Clare, unjustly disseised Richard son of Wm. de Sudbury of a 
free tenement there ; and the defence of the Countess was that after the 
dissolution of her marriage with the Earl of Clare to whom the town of 
Sudbury was given as her marriage portion, she came to Sudbury, and 
summoned the said Richard to her Court.' It is a question whether the 
manor had not passed earlier out of the Clare family and become vested in 
the Earls of Gloucester, and only came back to the Clare family on this 
marriage ; in fact one is inclined to adopt this view, having regard to the 
entry in 1202, also in the Pleadings in the time of John, that the Countess 
held her Court at Sudbury, with reference to Richard son of Uluric, and 
Richard son of John as to lands there, 1 and to a claim in 1206 by the Countess 
of Clare to the advowson of St. Gregory, Sudbury, against the Prioress of 
Eton 3 who asserted that the same had been granted by William formerly 
Earl of Gloucester father of the said Countess to the nuns of the Church of 
Eton. 4 

The manor passed in 1217 to Gilbert de Clare 5th Earl of Hertford, 
created Earl of Gloucester. He was one of the principal barons who con- 
tended against King John and one of the 25 barons to enforce the provisions 
of the Great Charter. He married Isabel 3rd daughter and eventual coheir 
of Wm. Marshall, 1st Earl of Pembroke, and dying the 25 Oct. 1230 was 
succeeded by his son Richard de Clare, 6th Earl of Hertford and 2nd Earl of 
Gloucester, who being a minor was placed in wardship to Hubert de Burgh, 
Earl of Kent and Justiciary of England, whose daughter to the displeasure 
of the King, Richard de Clare clandestinely married. It is probable the 
marriage was dissolved, as immediately after this he was married to 
Maude, daughter of John de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, who for the sake of 
the valuable alliance paid to the Crown 5,000 marks and remitted a debt of 
2,000 more. 

Richard was eminent alike in war and peace. He commanded the 
Royal Army in South Wales in 1257 an ^ was appointed on an embassy to 
the Pope, to Castille, to France, and to treat with the Duke of Bretagne in 
1259. He died the 15 July 1262, having been poisoned at the table of 
Peter de Savoy, the queen's uncle, along with Baldwin Earl of Devon, and 
other persons of note. 5 The manor passed to his eldest son Gilbert de 
Clare 3rd Earl of Gloucester surnamed the Red. He was Steward of St. 
Edmund's Abbey in 1266, and married Alice daughter of Guy Earl of 
Angouleme and niece of the King of France, and received the honour of 

1 Abbr. of PI. I John 19 East, and Trin. * Abbr. of PI. 7 and 8 John 5 in dorso ; 
Abbr. of PI. 4 John I in dorso, Rot. St. Peter's, Sudbury, 15 John 

Mich. Term. Mich. Hil. 14. 

> Eaton in Warwickshire. ' I.P.M., 47 Hen. III. 34. Extent. 



SUDBURY. 



233 



knighthood from Montford Earl of Leicester at the head of the army at 
Lewes where he held a command and where he had distinguished himself. 
Later he abandoned the baronial cause, and had an important command 
in the royal army at the Battle of Evesham. This nobleman was one of the 
first to proclaim King Edward then in Palestine as successor to the 
throne, and to entertain him with great magnificence at Tunbridge on 
his arrival. Gilbert de Clare obtained a divorce from his wife Alice, 
and married Joane of Acre 2nd daughter of King Edw. I., upon which 
marriage he gave up the inheritance of all his castles and manors to the 
King to dispose of as he thought best, and the King entailed them (after 
a life interest to Joane) on the Earl's issue by the said Joane, and in 
default upon her in fee should she survive her husband. He had, however, 
issue by her, a son Gilbert and 3 daughters, and died 1295, when the manor 
passed under the settlement to Joane for life. She subsequently married 
Ralph de Monthermer, but died in 1307, when Gilbert de Clare 4th Earl of 
Gloucester succeeded to the lordship. He is styled " Hereditary Steward 
of St. Edmund's Abbey," and held the appointment of Chief Guardian and 
Lieutenant of Scotland in 1308 and 1309, was one of the " Lords Ordainers 
of Reform " in 1310, and was Guardian and Lieutenant of England in 1311. 
He married Maud, daughter of Rich, de Burgh Earl of Ulster, and falling 
at the Battle of Bannockburn the 24 June 1314, leaving no issue, 1 the 
King granted to John de Chelmersford the wardship of the lands of the 
Earl. 2 The manor passed upon partition between the Earl's three 
sisters, to Elizabeth, who had married John de Burgh, son of Richard, Earl 
of Ulster, by whom she had issue William, Earl of Ulster, who married 
Maud sister of Henry Plantagenet, Duke of Lancaster, and left a daughter 
and heir, Elizabeth de Burgh, who married Lionel Plantagenet, Duke of 
Clarence, and died in 1369, leaving an only daughter Philippa Plantagenet, 
who married Edmund Mortimer, 3rd Earl of March, and through her the 
House of York derived its claim to the throne. She died in 1381, and was 
succeeded by her son and heir Roger Mortimer, 4th Earl of March. He was 
declared by Parliament, 9 Rich. II. [1385] to be heir to the Crown, by reason 
of his descent from Lionel Duke of Clarence. He married Alianore, daughter 
of Thomas Holland, Earl of Kent, sister of Thos. Duke of Surrey, and 
sister and coheir of Edmund, Earl of Kent, and was slain in battle in Ireland 
in I398. 3 The manor passed to his son Edmund Mortimer, 5th Earl of March, 
who like his father had been at the time of his father's decease a minor of 
tender years. The custody of the youth was committed by the King to 
his son Henry Prince of Wales, but it seems that sufficient vigilance was not 
exercised, and he was stolen away by Lady de Spencer, but being discovered 
in Chittham woods he was afterwards guarded more warily. He was on 
the accession of Hen. VI. to the throne made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 
and married Anne, daughter of Edmund Earl of Stafford, but died in 1424 
without issue. 

In the Inquis. taken after his death will be found an extent of the 
town and fishery, 4 and in the same Inquisition is included the advowson 
of the chapel of St. Sepulchre 305. per an. The manor passed to the last 
Earl's nephew Richard Plantagenet Duke of York, son of his eldest sister 
Anne married to Richard Plantagenet Duke of Cambridge. 

His defeat and death at the Battle of Wakefield in 1460' when the 



I.P.M., 8 Edw. II. 68. Extent. 
Originalia, 8 Edw. II. 16. 
I.P.M., 22 Rich. II. 34. 



I.P.M., 3 Hen. VI. 32. 
I.P.M., 3 Edw. IV. 14. 



Dl 



234 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

ambitious projects of his house for a time received a check are facts well 
known. His eldest son by Cicely, daughter of Ralph Nevil Earl of West- 
moreland, after varying fortunes was finally established on the Throne 
as Edw. IV., and the manor became vested in the Crown where it remained 
for over 100 years. A fine was in 1511 levied of the manor and of the 
Manor of Woodhall in Sudbury by the King against Katherine Courteney, 
Countess of Devon, one of the daughters of Edw. IV., and Thomas 
Haward and Anne his wife, another dau. of Edw. IV. 1 Sudbury Manor is 
however mentioned in the Inquis. p.m. of Sir Richard Corbett, who 
died the 25 June 1524 leaving a son and heir Richard Corbett. 1 In 
1577 Sir Nicholas Bacon claimed both Sudbury and Woodhall Manors 
under a grant from Edw. VI., and brought an action against John Skynner 
on behalf of the Corporation of Sudbury as to waifs and strays. 5 In 
1597 a fine was levied of the manor by W. Reade and others against 
Michael Stanhope and others, 4 and in 1610 the manor was granted to Sir 
Robert Crane. 

Amongst the MSS. in the Cambridge University Library is a grant to 
Robert de Assheton of the custody during minority of the heir of Edward 
le Despenser of Sudbury Manor. 5 And in 1252 a grant of free warren in 
the manor was made to Ely Priory. 6 

Court Rolls of the manor will be found in the Public Record Office for 
Edward II., III., Richard II., Hen. IV., V., VI., Edw. IV., V., Rich. III., 
Hen. VII., 7 and extracts from Court Rolls 16-35 Edw. III., 8 Hen. VII. 8 
As to the Office of the Steward of this manor see State Papers I Hen. VIII. 
222. In the State Papers 1540 it is stated that the King granted Sudbury 
Manor to Lady Anne of Cleves in consideration of her marriage with him. 9 

An action will be found amongst the Duchy of Lancaster Proceedings 
in 1590 in reference to the right of free fishing, &c., and the boundaries of 
the manor. 10 

WOOD HALL MANOR. 

This was evidently a small manor carved out of the larger holding of 
the Earls of Gloucester. It seems to have been held as a separate manor 
by Gilbert de Clare who died in 1295, and passed on his death to his widow 
Joane of Acre. An extent of the manor is given in 1369 in the Inquis. p.m. 
of Lionel Duke of Clarence, and Elizabeth his wife," and also in 1398 in the 
Inquis. post mortem of Roger de Mortimer Earl of March." It seems to 
have devolved in the same way as the main manor, ultimately vesting in 
the Crown in the person of the Duke of York Edw. IV. In 1553 it was 
granted by the Crown to Sir John Clike, and two years later leased to Sir 
Edward Waldegrave, and the following year it was annexed by the King and 
Queen to the Duchy of Lancaster. 

In 1577 it seems that Frances Pawlett claimed from Sir Edward Walde- 
grave as lessee against JohnLeyttle tenant of a water mill in Essex as to 

' Fine, Mich. 3 Hen. VIII. Ib. 204, I. 

J I.P.M., 16 Hen. VIII. 31. ' State Papers 1540, 144 (2). 

3 Duchy of Lane. Cal. to Pleadings, 19 ' William Agarde in right of Robert Holmes 

Eliz. 32. v. John Vernoune in right of Sir 

4 Fine, Easter, 39 Eliz. John Montgomery. Duchy of Lane. 

5 Cambridge Dd. iii. 53, 272. Cal. to Pleadings, 32 Eliz. 30. 

6 Chart. Rolls, 36 Hen. III. n. " I. P.M., 43 Edw. III. pt. i. 23. 
' Portfolio 203, 112-115, 204, 2-20, 213, " I.P.M., 22 Rich. II. 34. 

57. 66. 7, 71- 



SUDBURY. 235 

suit and soc to mills ;' and 2 years later Sir Nicholas Bacon Steward of 
Clare Manor brought an action against John Skynner Mayor of Sudbury 
and others as to profits of Court, Court Rolls and Evidences. 2 

In 1589 an action was brought by Richard Frende in right of Sir Edward 
Waldegrave against Thomas Davye and others as to soc, suit and mulcture 
to two water corn mills and one fulling mill in this manor, 3 there was also 
a suit as to markets and fairs two years later, 4 and as to water corn mills 
again and land called Border mortgaged to Henry Freeman. 5 

In 1609 tne manor was vested in Sir Robert Crane who died in 1642. 
By his will he gave to his eldest daughter Mary " all that my Manor of 
Woodhall Sudbury, all those three watermills, &c., in Sudbury, all that 27 
acres of wood called King's Wood in Sudbury, &c., and also all other lands 
in Sudbury, Chilton and Acton which I purchased of our late Sovereign 
King Jac. I." in fee. Mary Crane married Sir Ralph Hare Bart, and by her 
marriage settlement dated the 29 Dec. 1647 made between the said Sir 
Ralph Hare of the one part, and Isaac Appleton and Dame Susan Crane 
widow of the said Sir Robert Crane and then the wife of the said Isaac 
Appleton of the other part, a yearly sum of 800 was charged on the manors 
of Sir Ralph Hare, but the Woodhall manor was apparently left unsettled. 
Sir Ralph Hare was Knight of the Shire for Norfolk in several parliaments 
and was also chosen burgess for Lynn. 

He died in 1671 and was buried with his ancesters in the dormitory in 
Stow Bardolph Church, having this inscription : 

Here lyeth the Body of the Honourable 

Sir Ralph Hare, Baronet, he departed this 

life the last of February 1671. Although his 

body is turned to dust, his Soule lives 

ever with the Just. 

The manor passed to his only son Sir Thomas Hare Bart., who married 
Elizabeth sister of Sir Robert Dashwood of Northbrook in Oxfordshire 
Bart. Sir Thomas Hare was Knight of the Shire for Norfolk and dying in 
1693 was buried in the dormitory adjoining the chancel in Stow Bardolph 
Church with this inscription on a noble monument having his effigies in a 
recumbent posture : 

In Memory of Sir Thos. Hare Bart., who departed this Life the ist day of Jany. 1693, 
aged 35 years, and left a lady and 4 sons and 5 daughters. 
The Glorious Sun which sets at Night, 
Appears next Morn as Clear and bright ; 

The Gaudy Deckings of the Earth, 

Do every Spring receive new Birth ; 

But Life when fled has no return, 

In Vain we Sigh, in Vain we Mourn ; 
Yet does the Turtle justly grieve her fate, 
When she is left behind without her Mate ; 

Not less does she who raised this Tomb, 

And wishes here to have a Room ; 
With that dear He who underneath does lye, 
Who was the Treasure of her Heart and pleasure of her Eye. 

Arms of the Hares : Gules, two bars, and a chief indented, or. 
In 1805 the manor was vested in William Jones. 

' Duchy of Lancaster. Cal. to Pleadings, 4 Ib. 33 Eliz. 7. 

19 Eliz. 5. s if,. 36 Eliz. 8, 26, Anderton v. Home ; and 

2 Duchy of Lane. Cal. to Pleadings, 21 Att.-Gen. v. Littell, Mott v. Browne, 

Eliz. 26. Ib. 40 Eliz. 13. 

3 Duchy of Lane. Cal. to Pleadings, 31 

Eliz. 7. 



236 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

PLACE'S MANOR. 

There is a manor of this name in Sudbury respecting which there is 
but little information. There are three fines levied in the reign of King 
Edward VI. in which the manor is included one in 1547 levied by John 
Bokenham and others against Robert Dounes and others ;' a second in 
1549 levied of a moiety by James Doundes and others against John 
Bokenham and others ;* and the third levied of a moiety in 1550 by 
George Felton against Edmund Danyell and others.* A fourth fine was 
levied of the manor in 1592 by William Tyffyn and others against John 
Daniell and others. 4 



1 Fine, Hil. i Edw. VI. ' Fine, Mich. 4 Edw. VI. 

Fine, Easter, 3 Edw. VI. < Fine, Hil. 35 Eliz. 




WALDINGFIELD. 237 



WALDINGFIELD. 

Saxon times there were three manors here one held by 
Ulwin, another by Uluric King Edward's thane, and a third 
by Alvera, the mother of Earl Morchar. The first was 
at the time of the Great Survey vested in Aubrey de Vere 
in chief of the King. It consisted of 2 carucates of land 
with soc and sac, 4 villeins, 10 bordars, 4 slaves, 2 plough- 
teams in demesne and 2 belonging to the men, 4 acres of 
meadow, wood for 4 hogs, i horse at the Hall, 3 beasts, 16 hogs and 100 
sheep, and was valued at 5 pounds. The length was 12 quarantenes and 
the breadth 3, and it paid in a gelt 6d. f 

Another manor was smaller and consisted of i carucate of land 
which Ranulf Ilger's brother held as a gift from King William with soc and 
sac. The particulars in the Confessor's time consisted of I villein, 3 bordars, 
i ploughteam, 4 acres of meadow, 2 beasts, 12 hogs and 20 sheep, and the 
value was then assessed at 30 shillings. By Norman times however, there was 
an additional ploughteam, 4 additional hogs, and 10 more sheep, and the 
value was assessed at 40 shillings. 2 

The rest of the land in Waldingfield not expressedly held as a manor 
was in several small holdings that of Roger de Poictou, which in the Con- 
fessor's time had been held by Woolmer the thane under Harold, namely a 
carucate of land with soc, which had i villein, 5 bordars, i slave, 2 plough- 
teams in demesne, wood for 3 hogs, 4 acres of meadow, i horse, 2 beasts, 
and 12 hogs, and stood at the value of 30 shillings. This, by Norman times, 
was valued at 40 shillings, the only variation in the details being that the 
slave and the hogs had disappeared. 

The estate was half a league long and half broad, and paid in a gelt 
fyd. whoever might hold. There was also a Church benefice with 30 acres. 3 

Then there was the holding of the Abbot of St. Edmunds who had IT 
freemen with half a carucate of land, 3 bordars, and 2 acres of meadow. 
The men could give or sell their land, but the soc, commendation and service 
were the Abbot's. This holding was valued at 10 shillings and paid id. 
in a gelt. 4 A third holding was that of Richard, son of Earl Gislebert, 
who had 3 freemen under Wisgar by commendation and soc and sac, 
holding i carucate, 45 acres of land, and 9 bordars. In Saxon times there 
were 3 ploughteams, later 2, and by the time of the Survey i only. Also 
3 acres of meadow, i rouncey, 2 beasts, 93 sheep, and wood for 3 hogs ; 
all valued at 50 shillings, then held by Elinaut of Richard. There was 
also the third part of a church benefice with 10 acres of free land. Richard 
son of Earl Gislebert as Domesday tenant in chief, also in Waldingfield, 
had 2 freemen, and one under Robert, son of Wimarc by commendation, 
both under Witgar by soc and sac, holding 2 carucates of land and 9 acres 
of meadow, 2 ploughteams, 9 beasts, 37 hogs, 69 sheep, and n goats valued 
at 50 shillings, and paying 6d. in a gelt, whoever was the holder. The 
extent of this holding was 4 quarantenes long and 4 broad. 5 The only 
other little holding was that of Ranulf Peverell, who had 5 freemen with 72 



acres. 6 



1 Dom. ii. 4186. 4 Dom. ii. 360. 

2 Dom. ii. 425. 5 Dom. ii. 3926. 

3 Dom. ii. 350. 6 Dom. ii. 416. 



238 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

CARBONELS MANOR OR BUTLER'S. 

This the main manor of Great Waldingfield was held at the time 
of the Domesday Survey by Aubrey de Vere. Amongst the Charters in 
the Bodleian is a grant about 1270 by Richard Talemache and Robert de 
Aketon chaplain, to Carbonel and Elizabeth his wife of two parts of this 
manor with the advowson of the Church and also of a third part of the manor 
held by Sir Robert de Bosco 1 and Christian his wife as dowry of Christian. * 
And on the Sunday next after the Epiphany 3 Edw. I. [1275] the said Thomas 
Carbonnel grants to Richard Thalemach, and Robert the chaplain of Acton 
the same two parts of the manor and the advowson. 3 

In 1277 the manor belonged to Robert Carbonel who had a fee here 
and also free warren. 4 

Amongst the Bodleian Charters is a grant between 1270 and 1280 by 
William de Teypo sen. to Sir Robt. Carbonel son of Sir Geoffrey Carbonel for 
his homage and service and three marks of silver, 3^ acres of arable land in 
Great Waldingfield, 3 and about the same date by William de Teypo jun. 
for his homage and service, and 4 marks of silver and 3 acres of arable 
land in the same place. 6 

Robert Carbonel was succeeded by his son and heir Sir John Carbonel. 
These Carbonels bore as arms : Gul. a cross argent, a border indented or. Sir 
John married Christian daughter of Sir William Latimer, who afterwards 
married Sir Robert de Bosco of Fersfield, and had for a third husband Sir 
Thomas Mose knt. On Sir John's death in 1303, a 3rd part of the manor 
passed to his widow and in 1308 her 2nd husband was seised of it in her 
right as also of a 3rd of the advowson. She died about 1313. Wm. 
Carbonel the son and heir of Sir John and Christian his wife does not seem 
to have succeeded to the lordship which appears to have devolved on his 
brother Thomas. Amongst the Bodleian Charters is a deed of attornment 
in 1310 by Robert de Bosco and Christian his wife to this Thos. Carbonel 
and Elizabeth his wife in respect of the third of the manor held in dowry 
during the life of Christian. 7 And the same year Thomas Carbonel and 
Elizabeth his wife levied a fine of two parts of the manor against Richard 
Talemache and Robert de Aketon chaplain. 8 Either then William the 
eldest son was dead without issue or the father had made a will in favour of 
his 2nd son Thomas Carbonel. 

Thomas Carbonel died in 1312 when the manor passed to his widow, 
who died in 1325, and was succeeded by their son and heir John who died 
in 1333,' when the manor passed to his daughter and heir Alice married 
to Ralph Butler. 

On the Patent Rolls in 1334 is a commission which mentions an 
Inquisition after the death of John Carbonel finding that he held lands in 
Waldingfield and Acton called " Popesmade, Goreslond, and Grenecroft " 
of Andrew de Bures as of the manor of Acton by service of 2OS., and that 
his heir was Alice his daughter aged 10 years. 10 Two years later on the 

1 This Sir Robert Bosco was a son of 4 Add. MSS. Brit. Mus. 3937 ; H.R.ii. 143, 

Robert de Bosco and Amicia his 153 ; Pat. Rolls, 5 Edw. I. -]d., 

wife wid. of T. Hastyng of Gissing Schedule in dorso 8d. 

in Norf. which Robert was son 5 Bodl. Suff. Ch. 388. 

of Sir Robert du Bois and Isolda ' Bodl. Suff. Ch. 389. 

his wife, which Robert was son of '3 Edw. II., Bodl. Suff. Ch. 400. 

Sir William de Bosco of Fersfield " Feet of Fines, 3 Edw. II. 31. 

in Norfolk in the time of Hen. I. I.P.M., 7 Edw. III. 4. 

' Bodl. Suff. Ch. 391. 10 Pat. Rolls, 8 Edw. III. pt. i. zd. 
> Bodl. Suff. Ch. 393. 



WALDINGFIELD. 239 

Close Rolls is an order to the escheator not to meddle further with 
these lands it having been found that though John Carbonel at his death 
held of Andrew de Bures as of the Manor of Acton yet they never were parcel 
of that manor, but were held of that manor from time out of mind by service 
of a dove and a ginger root for all services. 1 

Page says that the Appletons appear to have succeeded, but this is a 
mistake. They held the manor of Holbrook in Waldingfield. Carbonels 
went to Margaret Boteler widow of Thomas Boteler the daughter and heir 
of Ralph Butler and Alice his wife who had a grant by way of confirmation 
of free warren here in 1395.' On Margaret Boteler's death the manor passed 
to her son Sir Andrew Boteler who married Katherine daur. of Sir William 
Philip. 

In 1401 Robert Peyton, Gilbert Debenham, John Rokewoode, William 
Rokewode, John Aleyn, and James Grotene, rector of the Church of Walding- 
field granted to Andrew Botiller and Katherine his wife the manor 
and the advowson to hold to them and the heirs male of the said Andrew 
and Katherine, 3 and the said Robert Peyton, Gilbert Debenham, John 
Rokewode and John Aleyn appointed Wm. Rokewode and James Grotone 
co-feoffees to deliver seisin accordingly to Sir Andrew Botiller knt. and 
Katherine daughter of William Phelyp. 4 There is a demise by Gilbert 
Debenham and others to Andrew Botiller and Katherine his wife and 
their heirs of the Manor of Gt. Waldingfield and Chilton with the advow- 
son of the churches (which they had with others by the gift of Andrew 
Botiller knt.) the 10 Oct. I4I3. 5 And on the 6th June the following year 
Sir Andrew Botiller knt. granted to John Howard, William Phelip, John 
Phelip, and others his manors of Waldingfield, Chilton and Neweton, with 
the advowson of the churches of the two former, 5 and 3 years later Sir John 
Howard knt. and others remitted and released to Sir Andrew Botiller knt. 
all their right in the manors and advowsons last mentioned. 7 Sir Andrew 
Botiller's will is dated 1429, by which he left the manor to his widow 
Katherine for life. By deed dated the i July 1431, Sir Wm. Philip knt. 
remits and quit-claims to Sir John Howard knt., Sir Rich. Waldegrave 
sen. and jun. knts., Thomas Sampson, and Guy Corbet, esqs., all right in 
the manors of Gt. Waldingfield and Chilton, and the advowson of the 
church of the latter. 8 Katherine died in 1460. 

Davy says that James Butler Earl of Wilts beheaded in i46i 9 was next 
lord, and that he was followed by Henry Bourchier, Earl of Essex, who had 
the manor by grant. He died in 1483, and was succeeded by his grandson 
and heir Henry, Earl of Essex, who died in 1539. Amongst the Bodleian 
Charters, however there is a grant in 1475 by Alexander Cressener, John 
Clopton and others to Robert Crane and the lady Anne his wife of the 
manors, lands &c. of Great and Little Waldingfield, Chilton, &c., which they 
held by charter of feoffment dated the 6 Oct. . . . Edw. IV. 10 and the 
Manor of Waldingfield is mentioned in the Inquis. p.m. of Robert Crane 
who died the 20 Oct. 1500 and was succeeded by his brother and heir John 
Crane ," and also in that of Robert Crane sen. of Chilton who was succeeded 

' Close Rolls, 10 Edw. III. 31 ; 13 Edw. III. - 5 Hen. V. Bodl. Suff. Ch. 429. 

pt. ii. 22. 8 2 Hen. VI., Bodl. Suff. 433. 

Chart. Rolls, 17 Rich. II. 9 See account of him under Bures Manor 
Bodl. Suff. Ch. 422. in this Hundred. 

Bodl. Suff. Ch. 423. ' 10 Dec. 15 Edw. IV., Bodl. Suff. Ch. 465. 

Bodl. Suff. Ch. 1380. " I.P.M., 16 Hen. VIJi 
Bodl. Suff. Ch. 428. 



240 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

by his s. and h. Robert Crane. 1 In 1587 the manor passed from the said 
Robert Crane to Sir Robert Jermyn.' 

BADLEY al. PEYTON HALL MANOR. 

In 1240 the lordship appertained to Sir Geoffrey de Badele, and at 
his death passed to his son and heir John de Badele. There is an action 
referred to in the Patent Rolls of 1274 by this John de Badele against 
Katherine, late wife of Thomas de Badley touching a messuage in Gt. 
Waldingfield. 5 

In 1298 John de Peyton had a grant of free warren, 4 but in 1315 William 
de Badele held as much as 4 fees here. In 1331 Wm. Casteleyne and John 
de Rikell and others (probably as trustees) granted the manor under 
the name " Beedles " to John de Peyton, youngest son of Sir Robert de 
Peyton, knt., who was the son of John Peyton of Peyton Hall in Boxford. 5 
Sir Robert de Peyton evidently had himself land in Great Waldingfield for 
amongst the Bodleian Charters is a grant by him in 1345 to Roger le 
Parker of one piece of meadow here. 6 

In the time of Hen. VIII. the manor was vested in Sir Wm. Drury, 
for amongst the Charters in the Bodleian is a grant by him and others 
to Felicia Peyton, widow, of an annual pension of 22 marks arising from 
the Manor of " Peyton Hall and Baddelees " in Great Waldingfield. 7 

The manor in the time of Elizabeth had passed to the Coleman family, 
for Edward Coleman died seised of it in 1599, being succeeded by 
his son and heir William Coleman, on whose death in 1606 it passed to 
his son and heir John Coleman. 8 

" The rental off Badleys in Moch Waldyngfeld " in the time of Hen. 
VIII., will be found in the Bodl. Rolls. 9 Amongst the Chancery Proceedings 
of the time of Elizabeth there is an action touching this manor between 
James Love and James Ely and another." 

BRANDESTON HALL MANOR. 

This appears as Branston Hall in the Domesday Survey. In King 
Edward the Confessor's day, Alvera, the mother of Earl Morchar, held this 
manor with 3 carucates of land. There were 5 villeins, 6 bordars, 5 slaves, 
2 ploughteams in demesne and 2 belonging to the men, 4 acres of meadow, 
wood for 10 hogs, 2 horses at the Hall, 5 beasts, 20 hogs and 100 sheep. 
By the time of the Domesday Survey there was only r ploughteam belonging 
to the men, and the beasts were reduced by 2, but the hogs had increased 
to 23 and the sheep to i'2o. In the same place were 3 freemen under the 
same Alvera, by commendation and soc and sac (but they could sell 
without licence) who had 24 acres of land of the value of 5 pounds. This 
manor was a league long and 3 quarantenes broad, and paid in a gelt 6d. 
and was held by Ralph de Curbespine of the Bp. of Bayeux as tenant in 
chief of the King." 

I.P.M., 4 Edw. VI. 84. ' Bodl. Suff. Ch. 509. 

Fine, Trin. 29 E\\z. * See Abbot's Manor, Brent Eleigh, in this 
3 Pat. Rolls, 2 Edw. I. tf. Hundred. 

Chart. Rolls, 26 Edw. I. 5. ' Bodl. Suff. Rolls 35. 
5 See Peyton Hall Manor, Boxford, in this 10 C.P. ser. ii. B. cxii. 6. 

Hundred. " Dom. ii. 3736. 

' Bodl. Suff. Ch. 408. 



WALDINGFIELD. 241 

In the time of Edw. I. this manor belonged to the Bavent family, 
and Adam de Bavent held it of the King in chief. Adam died and the 
manor passed into the custody of the King by reason of Adam's heir 
being a minor, and on the Patent Rolls for 1293 is a grant to John de Cobe- 
ham, in satisfaction of his loan to the King of 500 marks, of the custody of 
land and rent out of lands late of Adam de Bavent in the King's hand by 
reason of the minority of the heir. 1 

A fine was levied in 1337 between Augustinus le Waleys of Woxe- 
brigg and Sir Roger Bavent and Hawise his wife of this manor. 2 

There is a statement on the Patent Rolls in 1344 as to this manor. 
The entry referred to is an appointment of William de Kelleseye to receive 
seisin in the King's name of 40 issuing out of Brandeston Manor and all 
other lands of Roger Bavent, knt., who had granted the same to the 
King in fee. 3 

This manor is mentioned in the Inquis. p.m. of Augustus Waleys and 
Matilda his wife in I354, 4 and of Matilda in 1357 ; 5 but Davy says that in 1348 
Roger Bavent enfeoffed his son and heir Sir Roger Bavent and Hawise his 
wife. 6 There is an entry in the Originalia Rolls in 1356 which states that 
the King committed to John Woderove and William de Nessefeld during 
pleasure the custody of Brandeston Manor, which he had of the gift of 
Sir Roger Bavent. 7 

Sir Roger predeceased his wife, and gave the manor after her death 
to the Nunnery of Dartford in Kent. Hawise released her life interest in 
1360. In 1362 a fine was levied by Matilda Prioress of the New " Work 
of Derteford," against John Foxcote and Margaret his wife as to this 
Manor of Brandeston. 8 It did not remain long with the nunnery, 
for in 1371 the Prioress of St. Mary and St. Margaret Dartford, and 
the convent granted to the King this manor as well as the Churches 
of Washbrook and Velchurch, and the advowson of the Church of 
Alfreton, and the vicarage of the said churches of Washbrook and 
Velchurch. 9 The grant and surrender of this manor to the King 
which was coupled with the Manor of Combs may be seen in the 
Public Record Office, where it is preserved amongst the Ancient Deeds. 10 
The manor is mentioned in 1417 in the Inquis. p.m. of Roger Swillyngton" 
and in that of his widow Joan in I4i8 12 and also in I43O 13 in that of 
Margaret wife of Sir John Gray daughter and heir of Roger Swillington. 
The Appletons had 'a lease of this manor about 1500. In the will of Thos. 
Appleton the 2Oth January 1504 he gives the " ferme of Branston hall 
duryne myn yers " to his son Robert Appleton and Robert's son William 
Appleton in his will the 20th September 1538 leaves to Rose his wife 
his " lease of the Mannor of Branston Hall in Mykill Waldingfelde." 

On the Dissolution the manor vested in the Crown and was granted 
to Sir Edmund Bacon of Redgrave, Bart. He settled the manor on his 
eldest daughter Frances on her marriage to Walter Narborne of Calne, 
Wilts, in 1676. On her death the manor passed to her elder daughter, 

1 Pat. Rolls, 25 Edw. I. pt. i. 2. 8 Feet of Fines, 36 Edw. III. 5. 

Feet of Fines, n Edw. III. 3. ' Orig. 45 Edw. III. Rich. 30, 33, See 
3 Pat. Rolls, 18 Edw. III. pt. ii. 30 ; Orig. 47 Edw. III. 18. 

19 Edw. III. 3. *> 45 Edw. III. A. 5280. 

I.P.M., 28 Edw. III. 55. " I.P.M., 5 Hen. V. 46. 

5 Ib. 56, 31 Edw. III. 2nd nos. 48. " I.P.M., 6 Hen. VI. 52. Extent. 

I.P.M., 22 Edw. III. 2nd nos. 21. ' 3 I.P.M., 8 Hen. VI. 405 
i O., 30 Edw. III. 5. 

El 



242 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Elizabeth, who married ist John Sims Berkeley of Stoke Gifford co. Glou- 
cester, and andly Edward Viscount Hereford. By her first marriage she had 
a daughter Elizabeth married to Charles Noel Somerset 4th Duke 
of Beaufort, and this daughter inherited the manor under her mother's 
will. The 4th Duke of Beaufort died the 28 Oct. 1756 and his widow 
survived till 1799. The manor was inherited by Henry 5th Duke of Beau- 
fort, son and heir of Elizabeth Berkeley, and he died in 1803. 

The manor then seems to have been sold, for it was owned at the 
beginning of the last century by John Ruffel, but in 1817 had been acquired 
by Thomas Mills by purchase. He died in 1834 an ^ ^e manor passed to 
his son and heir, William Mills. 

The manor is now vested in Thomas Patrick Hitchcock. 

There are grants of land, &c., in Brandeston in Gt. Waldingfield 
in the time of Hen. III. amongst the Cotton MSS. and the Harleian 
Charters in the Brit. Mus., 1 and in 1295." 

There is also a copy amongst the Harleian Charters of a grant of free 
warren in Brandeston in 1285.* 

MOREVES al. MOREFES al. SARRES WITH STORKENEST MANOR. 

This was the land held in Domesday times by Richard, son of Earl 
Gislebert, but but there is no specific mention of the manor until the end 
of the fourteenth century, when to Richard Andrew Lutterell succeeded 
his widow Elizabeth who died in 1395. Alice the daughter of Robert de 
Bures and wife of Sir Guy Bryan 4 seems next to have had the manor. She 
died the n January 1434,* when it passed to her daughter Elizabeth 
wife of Robert Lovell. She died about 1438 and the manor passed to 
her grandson Humphrey Fitz Alan I4th Earl of Arundel the son of her 
daughter Matilda and her husband John I3th Earl of Arundel which John 
had survived his wife and died on the 12 June 1435. Humphrey held 
but for a short interval and died the 24 April 1438, and the manor is specifi- 
cally included in his Inquis. p.m. 6 It then passed to his sister Amicia, 
married to James Butler, Earl of Ormond and Wilts/ who was executed 
in 1461, when Sir Thos. Waldegrave, knt., had a grant of the manor from 
the Crown. 8 Sir Thomas did not hold it long, for in 1474 the manor was 
granted by the Crown to Henry Lord Bourchier, Earl of Essex, 9 who died 
seised of the same in 1483 10 as did his widow Isabella in 1484," when it passed 
to his grandson and heir, Henry Earl of Essex. In 1528 Henry Bures 
was seised at his death on the 6 July of that year, and the manor passed 
to his four daughters and coheirs Joan, Bridget, Anne, and Mary. In 
1562 three fines were levied of parts of the manor. They were levied by 
Sir Nicholas Bacon and others, one of J against Sir William Buttes, a 
second of J against Thomas Buttes and others, and the 3rd of \ against 
Anne Buttes widow.' 2 The remaining fourth share remained vested in 
Mary Bures who married Thomas Barrow who died seised of this fourth 

1 Cot. xxvii. 45 ; Harl. 47 A. 54, 55 D. 28: ' I.P.M., 35 Hen. VI. 16. 

Harl. 48 A. 16. Pat. Rolls, 12 Edw. IV. pt. iii. 24. 

3 Harl. 58 I. 37. Pat. Rolls, 14 Edw. IV. pt. ii. 9. 

4 See Acton Manor in this Hundred. 10 I.P.M., I Rich. III. 31. 
' I.P.M., 13 Hen. VI. 34. I.P.M., 2 Rich. III. 35. 
6 I.P.M., 16 Hen. VL 50. " Fines, Hil. 4 Eliz. 



WALDINGFIELD. 243 

in right of his wife in 1590. The manor was then stated to be held of the 
Honor of Clare. 

Thomas Barrow 1 was succeeded by his son and heir William Barrow 2 
who died in 1623, when the manor, or rather the share in it of the Barrows 
passed to his son and heir Maurice, who died without issue in 1666. 3 
The manor had, however, been sold in 1657, an d the deed of conveyance 
will be found amongst the Additional Charters in the Brit. Mus. 4 From 
this conveyance it appears that in 1657 the manor was vested in Sir Edmund 
Bacon, Bart., of Redgrave and Robert French and Richard Buttely, for 
by deed dated 18 August 1657 they sold what was described as the Manor 
of Morvies al. Morris with messuages, lands, &c., in Great Waldingfield, 
Great Cornard, Little Cornard, Little Waldingfield, Assington, Acton, 
Chilton, Newton and Melford to Roger Kedington described as of Acton 
and Ambrose Kedington his son and heir. The whole ultimately vested 
in Ambrose Kedington and at his death in 1764 passed to his son and heir 
Henry Kedington, and on his death in 1773, to his son and heir Robert 
Kedington, who died in 1787, when it passed to the Rev. Robt. Kedington, 
who died in 1830 without issue. The manor then went together with 
Babergh Hall, which is also in Gt. Waldingfield, to John Medows Rodwell 
of Little Livermere in right of his wife Marianne, sister and sole heir of 
the above mentioned Robert Kedington, and it is now held by John Kirby 
Rodwell of Bury St. Edmunds. 

SANDESFORD'S al. STANFORD MANOR. 

This manor was granted by John Arundel and others to William 
Chasteleyn on the Monday next after the feast of the Translation of St. 
Thomas 32 Edw. III. [i358]. 5 Robert Knyvett 6 of Stanway, Essex, 
died seised of it in 1420, when it passed to John his son and heir, 
who died without issue in 1451 it then went to his brother and heir Thomas, 
who died in 1459, when it vested in his son and heir John Knyvet, who 
by his will dated the 10 Feb. 1476 and proved the 28 June i486 7 devised 
the manor to his widow Joan for life with remainder to Thomas Knyvet 
and the heirs of his body, with remainder to his (testator's) son John. He 
also left to his said son John the Manor of Dounhall in Essex, and the Manor 
of Newington Belhouse to his sons Richard and Robert. The son Thomas 
Knyvet died in the lifetime of his mother and on her death the manor 
passed to Thomas's son Edward Knyvet who died seised the 4 Feb. isoo. 8 
The manor then passed to Edward's daughter and heir Elizabeth married 
to John Rainsford. Elizabeth died the 4 Feb. 1507' without issue, when the 
manor went to her cousins and heirs Thomasine, wife of Sir Wm. Clopton, 
Elizabeth wife of John Clopton, and Katherine Roydon. In 1530 a fine 
was levied of a moiety of the manor by Henry Makwilham and others 
against Sir William Clopton and others 10 and in 1536 of the manor by 

\ As to Thomas Barrow, see Newton ! Bodl. Suff. Ch. 205. 

Manor in this Hundred. 6 See Castelins Manor in Groton in this 

* A Fine was levied of the manor in 1600 Hundred. 

by Robert Felgate against Sir 7 I.P.M., 20 Edw. IV. go. This Inquisition 
Nicholas Bacon and others (Fine, includes also the Manor of Castelyns 

Hil. 42 Eliz.). in Waldingfield. 

3 As to Maurice Barrow, see Barningham 8 I. P.M., 16 Hen. VII. 29. 

Manor in Blackbourn Hundred. I. P.M., 24 Hen. VII. 

4 Add. Ch. 19265. Fine, Mich. 22 Hen. VIII. 



244 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Francis Clopton against John Clopton. 1 In 1575 amongst the Harleian 
Charters 1 is an indenture by William Clopton of London granting 
to the Queen all his right and interest in this manor, but the grant was to 
take no effect so long as the said William Clopton paid 405. yearly into the 
Exchequer. The deed is dated the II Feb. 17 Eliz. In 1811 this manor 
was vested in James Goodene Sparrow, after which it probably devolved 
in a similar manner to Cornard Manor or Abbas Hall Manor. 

DOWRES OR DOWAYRES MANOR. 

This manor was no doubt called after the first holder of whom there 
is any information John de la Dowayre, whose sister Maud married 
Sir Robert le Hanken, to whom the manor passed, and who had a son Roger 
le Hanken, who released to Sir John de Peyton in 1294. Sir John died in 
I3i8, 3 when the manor passed to his son and heir Robert de Peyton who 
died in 1351, and was succeeded by his son and heir Sir John de Peyton, 
who was followed by his son John de Peyton who died in the time of Hen. 
IV., and was succeeded by his son and heir a third John de Peyton, who 
died in 1416' and was succeeded by his son and heir John de Peyton aged 
3j years who died in his minority in 1432, when his brother Thomas had 
the manor. He died in 1484. He had a son Thomas who died before his 
father, leaving a son Thomas who succeeded his grandfather but dying 
without issue in 1490 the manor passed to his brother Sir Robert de 
Peyton who died seised of the manor in 1518. His eldest son and name- 
sake Sir Robert followed, and on his death in 1550 it passed to his son 
and heir a third Robert de Peyton in succession. 

WALDINGFIELD PARVA. 

No distinction is made in the Domesday Survey directly between 
Great and Little Waldingfield, and therefore parts of the land already 
given under the head Gt. Waldingfield from the Gt. Survey undoubtedly 
appertain to what is now known as Little Waldingfield ; but there is one 
small holding in Waldingfield which by means of a difference of expression 
may be said to belong to Little Waldingfield, though the particulars are too 
vague to identify the exact site. After having stated that Ranulf Peverell 
held certain lands in Waldingfield, namely the 5 freemen, with 72 acres, to 
which reference have been already made, the Record adds ' In altera 
Walingafella," which we take to be other than Gt. Waldingfield and 
therefore Little Waldingfield. 

The entry is that Ranulf Peverell here also held 3 freemen with 50 
acres. 5 

WOODHALL al. WALDINGFIELD PARVA MANOR. 

Adam de Cokefeld is the first lord of whom there is any information 
He had a grant of free warren in 1267* and married Agatha, one of the four 
daughters and coheirs of Sir Robt. Aguillon and Agatha his wife, and 
dying in the early part of the reign of Edw. I. was succeeded by his son 
and heir Robert de Cockfield. It is stated in the Testa de Nevill that 
the holding of Robert de Cockfield here was half a fee held of the Honor of 

1 Fine, Trin. 28 Hen. VIII. ' I.P.M., 4 Hen. V. 42. 

' Harl. 48 D. 49. Dom. ii. 425. 

3 For fuller account, see Peyton Hall Chart. Rolls, 51 Hen. III. 7. 
Manor, Boxford, in this Hundred. 



WALDINGFIELD. 



245 



Lancaster. 1 Robert de Cockfield died without issue in 1297" and the 
manor passed to his sister and heir Joan. She married William de Beau- 
champ, and in the 7 Edw. II. gave half a mark for licence to agree with 
William de Wengrave for the Manor of Moult on, Waldingfield and also 
for the Manor of Feltwell in Norfolk, all held by Robert de Cokefeld, and 
accordingly in the same year a fine was levied of the manors and they were 
all settled on William Beauchamp and Joan his wife and the heirs of William 
on the body of Joan with remainder to the right heirs of Joan. 3 

Sir William Beauchamp's daughter and heir Joan carried the manor 
to her husband Sir John de Chyverston who was made by King Edw. III., 
on his taking of Calais, its first Governor or Captain. In 1351 
Sir John de Chyverston settled the manor upon himself for life, remainder 
to Hugh de Chyverston his second son and his heirs. Sir John de 
Chyvereston notwithstanding the settlement seems in 1570 to have sold the 
manor to Lady Elizabeth, wife of Sir Andrew Lutterell, 4 who was daughter 
of Hugh Courtney, Earl of Devonshire by Margaret his wife, daughter of 
Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hertford, and who had been the wife of 
Sir John de Vere, 3rd son of John Earl of Oxford. She had a grant of free 
warren here in I373, 5 and during her tenure in 1384 a fine was levied of 
the manor by Edmund de Lakynhethe, John Sibyle, John Wermyngton 
clerk and John Wermyngton against this Elizabeth Lutterell in which it 
is stated that Thomas Peverell held the same for his life. 6 Elizabeth 
Lutterell died in 1395, and the manor passed to her son and heir Sir Hugh 
Lutterell lord of Dunster Castle in Somersetshire, who had a grant of free 
warren here (by way of confirmation) in 1425 . 7 Sir Hugh died seised in 
I428 8 and Sir John Lutterell his son succeeded and died in I43I, 9 when 
a third part of the manor passed in dower to his widow Margaret, and on 
her death in 1439' the whole vested in their son and heir James Lutterell 
who was attainted and forfeited the manor on the accession of Edw. IV. 
William, Lord Herbert, had a grant from the Crown in 1463, but it again 
vested in the Lutterells, for Hugh Lutterell died seised of it in 1521" and 
it passed to his son and heir Andrew. 

This is possibly the manor of which John Purpett of Newborne died 
seised in 1540 leaving Edward his son and heir. 12 

In the time of Elizabeth the manor passed to Roger Wincoll of Hitcham. 
He was son of Roger Wyncoll by Anne his wife daughter of John Gurdon 
of Dedham which Roger was the son of John son of John Wyncoll of Little 
Waldingfield. Roger Wyncoll married Susan daughter of Thomas Bautof 
of Hitcham and died the 6 June 1589, when the manor passed to his 
son and heir John Wyncoll. He married a daughter of William Chaplin 
of Little Waldingfield clothier and had two daughters only, Susan and 
Martha. 

In 1847 the Rev. Barrington Bloomfield Syer of Kedington was lord, 
impropriator of the rectory, and patron and incumbent of the benefice. 

' T. de N.zgi. 8 Extent, Woodhall Manor. I.P.M.,8Hen. 

' I.P.M., 25 Edw. I. 9, 51. VI. 32. 

3 Feet of Fines, 7 Edw. II. 20. ' Sir John Lutterell and Margaret his wife. 

4 See Manor of Moulton in Risbridge I.P.M., 9 Hen. VI. 51. 

Hundred. I0 3rd part of Woodhall Manor. Margaret 

5 Chart. Rolls, 47 Edw. III. n. wife of John Lutterell. I. P.M., 

6 Feet of Fines, 8 Rich. II. 9. 17 Hen. VI. 14. 

' Pat. Rolls, 3 Hen. VI. pt. ii. n. " I.P.M., 13 Hen. VIII. 123. 

" I.P.M., 33 Hen. VIII. 78. 



246 



THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



The manor is now vested in George Wade. 

The descent of the manor 1597 is given in the Rawlinson MSS. in 
the Bodleian.' 

Arms of Lutterell : Or, a bend betw. six martlets sable. 

NETHERHALL MANOR. 

In 1316 this was held by William Fitz Ralph, and Alice wife of Guy 
Bryan died seised of it in 1435,* according to Davy ; but he also states 
that in 1428 John Fitz Ralph held it from Ralph Fitz William. Elizabeth, 
daughter and coheir of John Fitz Ralph married Sir Robert Chamberlain. 
This was probably the Sir Robert who, with Sir Gilbert Debenham knt. 
joined Edward IV. on his landing in March 1471. He was attainted and 
beheaded in 1491. The manor then passed to Edward Chamberleyn and 
was acquired from him and his wife Joane in 1512 by Thomas Spring of 
Lavenham. He died seised of it the 29 June 1523. He married first 
Anne daughter of Thomas Apulton by whom he had issue two sons, John 
his son and heir and Robert, and three daughters Anne married to Sir 
Thomas Jermyn of Rushbrook, Rose to Thomas Guybon of Lynn co. Norf., 
and Margaret to Aubrey de Vere 2nd son of John Earl of Oxford. The 
manor passed to the elder son Sir John Spring of Cockfield, 3 who married 
Dorothy dau. of Sir William Waldegrave of Smallbridge knt. and died 
1:he 7 Feb. 1547* leaving issue William his son and heir, Frances married 
to Edward Wright of Burnt Bradfield, and Bridget married first to Robert 
Wingfield, and 2ndly to Thomas Fleetwood of the Vache co. Bucks. 
On Sir John Spring's death the manor passed to his son Sir William Spring 
then aged r8. 5 

The manor subsequently passed to John Wincoll, son of Roger Wyncold, 
and Thomasine his wife, daughter and heir of Page. Amongst the 
Bodl. Ch. is a grant in 1542 by Robt. Crane of Chilton to this John" Wyncole" 
described as of Little Waldingfield of a messuage, &c., in Great Waldingfield. 6 
He married Margery daughter of Edward Rosse of Nayland and widow of 
Robert Risbye of Thorpe, and died seised the 24 Dec. 1576,' when he was 
succeeded by his son and heir Isaac Wincold who married Mary daughter 
of Sir Thomas Gawdy of Gawdy Hall in Norfolk, one of the judges of the 
Queen's Bench, and died in Aug. 1638, when he was succeeded by his son 
and heir Isaac Wyncoll who married Mary daughter and coheir of Thomas 
Waldegrave of Fenes in Bures granddaughter of Sir William Waldegrave 
of Smallbridge in Bures and died, and was buried at Bures the 6th Aug. 
1650, when the manor passed to his son and heir Thomas Wyncoll. He 
married 1st Mary daughter of Sir William Cooke of Broome Hall in Norfolk, 
and 2ndly Mary daughter of William Spring of Stratford in Essex, and died 
the i6th January, 1675 ." In 1837 tne manor was vested in the Rev. 



1 Rawl. B. 319. 

ii Jan. 1434. 

3 See Cockfield Hall Manor. 
I.P.M., 2 Edw. VI. 65. 

5 See Manor of Pakenham in Thedwestry 

Hundred. 

6 Bodl. Suff. Ch. 510. 

' I.P.M., 19 Eliz. ; Harl. 639, fol. 177. 

* We are unable to say how long subse- 

quent to this the manor remained 
with the Wincoll family, but a 
Twinstead Hall, which was also held 



by the family, Isaac Wyncoll eldest 
son of Thomas succeeded and died 
without issue the 14 March 1681, 
when that manor passed to his 
sister Mary married to Edward 
Golding and was sold ; but the 
representation of the family was 
carried on in the male line by 
Isaac's half-brother Thomas Spring 
Wyncoll who resided at Langham 
in Essex and died in 1710. 



WALDINGFIELD. 247 

Barrington Bloomfield Syer, of Kedington, and possibly this is the manor of 
Little Waldingfield stated in 1855 to be vested in George T. Parson and in 
1885 to be in George Leach, though it may have been Woodhall Manor. An 
acquittance for fine of entry on lands in Little Waldingfield, parcel of this 
manor in 1608, will be found amongst the Harleian Charters in the Brit. 
Mus. 1 There is still an old farmhouse in Little Waldingfield called 
Netherhall. It is large and two-storied, but it is not the old mansion house 
of the manor. The farm is 170 acres in extent. 

Arms of Wincold : Ermine, a chevron quarterly per chevron or, and 
sable betw. three crescents, gules. 

HOLBROOK HALL MANOR. 

This manor belonged to the Appleton family who flourished as lords for 
many generations. 

John Apelton, Apulton, or Appleton as the name is variously written, 
was seised of land in Gt. Waldingfield in the time of Hen. IV. He died in 
1416, and was succeeded by his son John. 

Amongst the Charters in the Bodleian is a grant dated the 14 March 
*433 by Wm. Ryngefeld of Little Waldingfield to John Apilton jun. and 
others of all lands and tenements in Gt. and Little Waldingfield called 
;< Holbrokes " ; 2 also a grant made 6 April 1437 by John Appulton to 
John Appulton his son and Margaret his wife of a tenement with a garden 
and certain land in Little Waldingfield ; 3 and also a lease by Robert 
Welly ng of Lavenham and others to this John " Appulton " and others 
of a tenement called " Smythis " with a garden and two crofts of land in 
" Moche " Waldingfield. It is dated the 8 May 20 Hen. VI. [i442]. 4 

John Appulton died in 1459, and was succeeded by his son John, who 
probably was the first who held this manor. Amongst the Bodleian 
Charters is a grant in 1467 by this John " Appulton " and William 
Ryngham to Alexander Cressener, and others of a messuage, 3 crofts &c. 
in Gt. Waldingfield. 5 John Appulton married Margaret dau. of Richard 
Welling and died the Qth April 1481, being succeeded by his second son 
Thomas who married Margaret daughter and sole heir of Robert Crane of 
Stonham, sister of Robert Crane who married Anne Osgard. Amongst the 
Bodl. Charters is a lease in 1483 by Alexander Cressener and John Appulton, 
described as of Gt. Waldingfield sen. and Richard Rysing to this Thomas 
Appulton and Margaret his wife and others of two closes of land in Gt. 
Waldingfield. 6 Thomas Appulton died the 13 October 15077 By his will 
dated the 2oth Jan. 1504 he says : " First I bequeth my soule to Almighty 
God, to our lady seynt Mary and to all the holy company of heven. And 
my body to be buried in the Church of Seynt laurence in Waldyngfeld 
nyghe to my wif . I will have a priest syngyng in Waldingfeld the space of 
iiii yeres for me my fader and moder my wif and others my kynnesfolke 
and my benefactors. I geve to the Church of Waldingfeld a vestmet w'. 
deken and subdeken off such color and price as shalbe thought metely and 
convnyet for the said church. I will that the nonnys of Mailing have iiij. 
li. in foure yeres to the convent to sey Placebo and Dirige w'. masse of 
Requiem for me the day of myn obite. I will that Dame Anne my doughter 

'. Harl. 58 E. 27. Bodl. Suff. Ch. 458. 

' Bodl. Suff. Ch. 436. 6 Bodl. Suff. Ch. 473. 

' Bodl. Suff. Ch. 440. ' I.P.M., 23 Hen. VII. 84. 
Bodl. Suff. Ch. 442. 



248 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

haue xiiis. iii]d. yerely owte of my londs and tents y 1 . I haue in Kersey, 
Grotton, and other townes the which I haue geven to my son William 
Appulton. To my son Gilbert Appulton vij. horses w'. the plough and a 
cartt w'. all the harneys thereto belonging, viij. keen, a masse booke w 1 . a 
challice, aulter clothes and vestments. To my son the parson of Lanetun my 

gilt cupp w'. the coulyng. I give him my best salt I will that 

my nappry and beddyng, and all other stuff of household be devided 
betwene son Robert and his brother Richard. I will that he that hath my 
manr. of Holbrok have my ferme of Branston hall duryne nyn yers. . . . 
The residue of my goods I remytt to myn executors towards the amendyng 
of the high way leddyng fro my manor of Holbrook to the well." The 
will was proved the 9 Feb. 1508.' The manor passed to his son and heir 
Robert Appulton who married Mary, 2nd daughter and coheir of Thomas 
Mountney of Mountnessing in Essex. There is a lease dated the 16 
May 21* Hen. VII. amongst the Bodleian Charters of this Robert Appulton 
and others to Roger Ponder and others of certain lands and a croft in Great 
Waldingfield. 1 

Robert Appleton died 27 Aug. 1526, when he was succeeded by his son 
and heir William Appulton, who married Rose, daughter and coheir of 
Robert Sexton of Lavenham, and had a son Thomas, who succeeded his 
father on his death on the 24 August I53&, 3 and married Mary 2nd daughter 
and coheir of Edward Isaacke of Well Court, Kent. Thomas Appleton 
died in 1603, and the manor passed to his eldest son Sir Isaack Appulton, 
who married Mary, daughter of Anthony Cage of Long Stow co. Cambridge, 
and died in 1608. In the Tanner MSS. in the Bodleian may be seen a 
claim to the Rectory of Little Waldingfield by Mary Appulton, the widow. 
The manor at her death passed to her son Isaac Appleton who married 
Dame Susan relict of Sir Robert Crane Bart., and dau. of Sir Giles Alington 
of Horseheath, but died without issue. Sir Isaac Appleton by his will the 
8 Sept. r6o8 devised to Isaac his son his " fower Tenements 
in the Churchyard of Litle Waldingfeild (erected and applied by my 
late father to charitable uses) with earnest charge as he will answere before 
God to contynue the same by placing in them from tyme to tyme poore 
men or wydowes." He also appointed six loads of wood, which he directed 
to be distributed among these four houses annually for fuel. Page states 
that this wood has not been supplied for many years. The will was 
proved the 12 July 1609." The clause in the will of Thomas Appleton to 
which Sir Isaac refers is, "I will that my sonne and heire and his heires 
shall paie and satisfie to the poor people inhabitinge littell Waldingfeilde 
tenn loades of wood everie yeare and to their successors for ever." The 
will is dated the ist March 1603 and was proved the i6th May 1603.' 

Samuel Warner was lord in the early part of the eighteenth century 
and he died seised of the manor in 1734, when it passed to his eldest daughter 
married to Henry Vere Graham. She died in 1736 and her husband in 
1737, when the manor passed to Walden Hanmer, barrister-at-law and M.P. 
for Sudbury who had married Anne, youngest daughter and coheir of the 
said Henry Vere Graham and Catherine his wife. Walden Hanmer was 
created a baronet in 1774, and died in 1783, his wife having predeceased him 
in 1778. Job Hanmer, a captain in the Royal Navy their second son succeeded 

P.C.C. ii Bennett. ' P.C.C., 32 Bolein. A Copy will be found 

* Hoc]]. Stiff. Ch. 493. in Muskett's Manorial Families, vol. i. 
> I.P.M., 33 Hen. VIII.- p. 325. 

4 P.C.C. 70 Dorset. 



WALDINGFIELD. 



249 



to the estate, and married Maria, daughter of John Syer of Lavenham. Job 
died in 1814, leaving issue with a daughter Anna Maria who was 
married first to Thomas Waring and secondly to Wm. Fowke, a son, 
Job Hanmer captain in the Royal Navy. He married in 1823 Harriet 
youngest daughter of Thomas Dawson of Edwardston Hall, and was 
succeeeed by his son Charles Warren, to whom the manor descended. 

Holbrook Hall, an edifice in the Tudor style, was rebuilt 1883, and is 
now occupied by Mrs. Mitchell, though it still belongs to the Hanmer 
family. 

Arms of Appleton or Appulton : Argent, a fesse sable betw. three 
apples gules, stalked and leaved vert. 

LUNS HALL MANOR. 

There was a manor known as Luns Hall manor, but its history is past 
finding out. 

There is amongst the Bodleian Charters a Court Roll of the Manor of 
Waldingfield 4 Rich. II. [1380],' and amongst the Bodl. Rolls, Court Rolls 
of 41 Ed. III., 42 Ed. III., and 4 to 16 Rich. II. 2 

Amongst the Harleian Charters is a power to give seisin of dower 
from lands in the Manor of Great Waldingfield in I3O3, 3 and to give seisin 
in the Manor of Gt. Waldingfield in 1413 and I43i. 4 And the Manor of 
Great Waldingfield is included in the Extent given in the Inquis. p.m. of 
Elizabeth, wife of John de Brokesbourne in 1326 ; 5 also in that of Sir 
Andrew de Bures and Alicia his wife in I36o. 6 The descent of the Manor of 
Great Waldingfield to 1597 is given in the Rawlinson MSS. in the Bodleian. 7 
There are two fines, one levied in the time of Edw. I. and the other in that 
of Edw. II. relating to the Manor of Waldingfield Parva, which cannot be 
fixed to any particular manor in the place, though as the second showed 
that the advowson was appurtenant to the manor, one might hazard a guess. 
They are as follows : 

1302 Ralph parson of Bulemere Church v. William son of Ralph de 
Bebermesshe of Waldingfield Parva and Capelis Manors. 8 1320 Isabella, 
who was wife of John de Wascoirv. William son of Ralph de Pebenersh 
and Matilda his wife of Waldingfield Parva Manor except the advowson of 
the Church. 9 



1 Bodl. Suff. Ch. 419. 

' Bodl. Suff. Rolls 32, 33, 345 

3 Harl. 57 C. 7. 

4 Harl. 49 D. 37, 52 A. 2. 
I.P.M., 20 Edw. II. 32. 



6 I.P.M., 34 Edw. III. 60. 
' Rawl. B. 319. 

8 Feet of Fines, 30 Edw. I. 4. 

9 Feet of Fines, 14 Edw. II. 27. 



Fl 




250 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

WISTON OR WISSINGTON MANOR. 
HIS does not appear under the head of Wiston in the 
Domesday Survey, though Mr. Page says that at that 
time the church and a manor here belonged to the great 
Suane of Essex, whose chief seat was at Raley (or Raleigh) 
in that County, under whom the Godebolds held in Edward 
the Confessor's reign. He also adds that in the time of 
Hen. I., Robert, son of Godebold, founded a Priory at Little 
" Horkestem" in Essex to the honour of St. Peter forCluniacmonks. He and 
Beatrix his wife gave to the Cluniac monastery at Thetford all their churches 
upon condition that the Prior at Thetford should send as many monks 
to serve God in the Church of St. Peter at Horksley as the place could con- 
veniently maintain. And for their better subsistence they assigned certain 
other churches to this Priory amongst which the Church of Wiston is 
included. The endowment was considerably augmented by a grant of 
land in this place in 1378 ; wh< 3 n there is a licence for alienation in mortmain 
by John Somenour, John Olyver, Thomas Scorby, and William Pek vicar 
of Wiston, of a toft, 80 acres of land and 4 acres of wood in Wiston not held 
in chief to the Prior of the Church of St. Peter Little Horkesleye for cele- 
brating.' The Manor of Wiston was, as already stated, part of the Honor of 
Raleigh, or Rayhelia, or Rayley, as it is variously written, the head of the 
great Barony of Suane. Blunt in his" Fragmenta Antiquitatis mentions a 
peculiar Court which was held by the Lord of this Honor. It was held on 
King's Hill in Rochford, Essex, every Wednesday morning next after 
Michaelmas day at cock crow by ancient custom, and was vulgarly called 
the Lawless Court. The steward and suitors whisper to each other, and 
have no candles, nor any pen and ink, but supply that office with a coal ; 
and he that owes suit or service thereto and appears not forfeits to 
the lord double his rent every hour he is absent. The Court is called 
Lawless, because held at an unlawful or lawless hour, or quia dicta sine If ge. 
The title of the Court Rolls runs thus and was certainly so in 1679 : 
KING'S HILL ) ( Curia de Domino Rege, 
IN ROCHFORD. / \ Dicta sine Lege, 

Tenenta est ibidem 
Per ejusdem Consuetudinem ; 
Ante ortum Solis, 
Luceat nisi Polus, 
Nil scribit nisi colis. 
Totius voluerit, 
GaJlus ut Cantaverit ; 
Per cujus solum sonitum 1 
Curia est summonita. 
Clamat clam pro Rege, 
In Curia sine Lege, 
Et nisi cito venerint 
Citius paenituerint ; 
Et nisi clam accedat 
Curia non attendat ; 
Qui venerit cum Lumine 
Errat in Regimine, 
Et dum sunt sine Lumine 
Capti sunt in Crimine ; 
Curia sine Cura 
Jurati de Injuria, 

Tenta ibidem Die Mercurii (ante Diem) proximi (v. proxime or proximo) 
post Festum Sancti Michaelis Archangeli, Anno Regni Regis, &c. 

' Pat. Rolls, 2 Rich. II. pt. ii. 14 ; I.P.M., 2 Rich. II. 115. 



WISTON OR WISSINGTON MANOR. 



251 



This Lawless Court is imperfectly mentioned by Camden (or rather by 
his editor, Dr. Holland, for it is not in the text itself) in his description of 
Essex, where he says this servile attendance was imposed on the tenants of 
the manor for conspiring at the like unseasonable time to raise a 
commotion. 

The Manor of Wiston passed from the family of Godebold in the time 
of King John to that of Horkesley, and Walter de Horkesley held a fee here of 
the Honor of Raleigh in the time of Hen. III. 1 Walter died in 1266," and the 
manor passed to his son Sir Robt. de Horkesley, 3 at whose death in 1296" 
it vested in his widow Agidia, or Archadia de Horkesley, who held in 
1316. This year a fine was levied of the manor between Wm. de Horkesley 
and John Butercourt and Matilda his wife. 5 It then passed to Michael de 
Poyning whose son and heir Thomas de Poynings had free warren here in 
1328, and was summoned to Parliament as a Baron 23 April 1337. He 
married Agnes, one of the daughters and coheirs of John son of Bartholomew 
de Cryol, and was slain in the great naval engagement with the French at 
Sluye in 1340, when the manor passed to his son and heir Michael de Poynings 
2nd Baron, who participated in the great victory at Cressy. He married 
Joane, widow of Sir John de Molyns knt. and died in 1369. 

The manor however seems to have been sold by Thos. de Poynings in 
early life, for it was held before 1332 by Thomas de Swynburn, as in that 
year there is a grant on the Patent Rolls to John Darcy of the custody of the 
manor in the King's hands by reason of the minority of Robert son and 
heir of Thomas de Swynburn. 6 This same year the manor is mentioned in 
the Inquis. p.m. of William de Horkesley and Emma his wife. 7 

Davy says that Thomas de Swynburn died in 1348, and no doubt he 
founded this on the fact that there is an Inquis. p.m. of Thomas de Swinburn 
in 1348 which includes the manor, stating it to be held as of the Honor of 
Raleigh. 8 But a difficulty is presented by a fine levied as early as 
1323 between Robert de Swynbourne and John Botecourt and Isabella 
his wife of this manor. 9 However this may be Sir Robert Swinburn died 
seised of the manor in 1376, and it passed in moieties to his daughters and 
coheirs Margery, married to Michael Berney, and subsequently to their 
daughter Katherine married to Sir Wm. Fynden, who died in 1515, and by 
will devised the same to his daughter in law Bridget the daughter of Sir 
William Waldegrave, and it ultimately passed to her son Thomas Fynden, 
who died in 1524 without issue. Davy says that the manor then passed 
to Anne wife of Sir Roger Wentworth, 10 " and then to Sir John Wentworth 
of Horkesley and Codham, who died in 1567, when it passed to Anne his 
daughter, wife of Henry Lord Maltravers, and in 1580 went to Sir John 
Wentworth of Gosfield co. Essex, nephew of Sir John, and that he died in 
1588, when it passed to Jane his widow. It seems however that Sir Wm. 
West and his wife were in possession of the manor in 1545 from the fact 
that they were called upon to shew title to the same, 12 and in 1560 a fine 



T. de Nevill 292. 
I.P.M., 50 Hen. III. 38. 
H.R. ii. 142, 144. 
Extent. I.P.M., 24 Edw. i, 37. 
Feet of Fines, 10 Edw. II. 8. 
Pat, Rolls, 6 Edw. III. pt. iii. 13. 
I.P.M., 6 Edw. III. 52. 
I.P.M., 22 Edw. III. 7. 
Feet of Fines, 17 Edw. II. 31. 
I.P.M., 16 Hen. VIII. 13. 



11 The Inquisition thus gives her descent : 
Daughter of Isabella, daughter of 
John, son of Alice, daughter of 
Joan, mother of Margaret, mother 
of Katherine, mother of Sir William 
Waldegrave, father of William Wal- 
degrave, brother of Thomas Walde- 
grave. 

" Memoranda Rolls, 37 Hen. VIII., Mich. 
Rec. Rot. 10. 



252 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

was levied of the manor by SirJ Thomas Wentworth and others against 
Sir John Wentworth and others. ~ In 1601 another fine was levied of the 
manor by Arthur Longvile and others against John Wentworth and others. 1 

In 1658 the manor belonged to the Rev. Thomas Nott, rector of Stoke 
Nayland, whose daughter and heir married the Rev. Wm. Gurnell of 
Lavenham, celebrated for his work, "The Christian in Complete Armour," 
which has run to many editions. 

In 1814 the manor belonged to Matthew Beachcroft in which family 
it still remains, the owner in 1885 being Richard Beachcroft of Clapham. 

WISTON GRANGE MANOR. 

This was given by Hugh de Hordene to Thetford Abbey, and on the 
Dissolution passed to the Crown, when it was granted to Sir Thomas 
Seymor in 1537, and he in 1539 sold it to Robert Cowper of Nayland juxta 
Stoke. There is an entry respecting the deed of assurance on the Memoranda 
Rolls, 31 Hen. VIII. [I539J. 3 And the licence to Sir Thomas Seymour to 
alienate will be found amongst the State Papers for the s ime year. 4 In 
this licence the manor is thus specified : "the manor or chief messuage called 
Wyston Graunge and lands in Wiston." Robert Cowper died the loth April 
!558 5 when the manor passed to his two daughters and coheirs, Margaret 
wife of Thomas Harte and Joan wife of John Caringdale. In 1578 is found 
on the Memoranda Rolls an order for removal of process from the farm called 
Wiston Grange and discharge of Henry Hart and wife. 6 As to Joan 
Caringdale no information is to be found ; but in the 43rd Deputy Keeper's 
Reports App. i, p. 62 is an entry of livery of lands in Wiston to William 
Dynn and Mary, one of the two daughters of Benjamin Cowper in 1627. 



In order to complete the account from the Domesday Survey, the 
following entries as the land therein referred which have not been included in 
the manorial land specified are added. In Linhow (?) Uluric held under Aluric 
Camp in King Edward's time, and they could not sell 30 acres and 4 
bordars and 3 oxen valued at i8s. Saint Edmund had soc and sac. 
This was held by Roger de Rheims as tenant in chief. 7 

Among the encroachments upon the King in Saibamus Richard held a 
freeman formerly under Robert son of Wimarc by commendation and in 
St. Edmund's soc and sac ; but Wisgar held from him when he made 
forfeiture. At the time of the Domesday Survey Richard his successor in 
title held from him ; and had i carucate of land, 3 bordars, 2 slaves, i 
ploughteam, 7 acres of meadow, 50 sheep, and 7 hogs, all valued at 20 
shillings. 8 



1 Fine, Hil. 2 Eliz. ' I.P.M., 4 and 5 P. and M. 148. 

Fine, Trin. 43 Eliz. 6 Memoranda, 20 Eliz. Mich. Rec. Rot. 60. 

' M. 31 Hen. VIII., Trin. Rec. Rot. I. ' Dom. ii. 4216. 

4 State Papers, 1539, 1192 (31). ' Dom. ii. 448. 

END OF BABERGH HUNDRED. 



BLACKBOURN HUNDRED. 



SAXTON, 
1576. 




'Aj 



SPEED, 
1610. 




BOWEN 
1777. 



BLACKBOURN HUNDRED. 



HIS Hundred (Blacbruna, Blackbourne, Blackbrune, 
Blackburne, Blakeborne, Blakeburn), lies upon the utmost 
bounds north-westwardly of the County, being separated 
from Norfolk by the river Ouse. It is east of Lackford 
and west of Hartismere Hundred, and is bounded 
on the south by the Hundreds of Stow, Thedwestry and 
Thingoe ; and watered by the Lark and the Little Ouse, 

the small river Thet also intersecting it. Ixworth is its chief town and 

Walsham le Willows a place of some importance. The Hundred has 

65,352 acres. 

Blackbourn . Hundred contains the following 34 parishes and 64 

manors : 




Parishes. 



Manors. 



Parishes. 



Manors. 



Ashfield.... 
Badwell Ash 

Bardwell . . 
Barnham . . 

Barningham 



- Coney 

Weston . . 

Culford 

' Elmswell . . 
Euston 

Fakenham 
(Great) .. 

Fakenham 
(Little) .. 



Ashfield Magna. 

Badwell Ash or 
Little Ashfield. 

StrikelandHall. 

Brushes al. Brookes- 
hull. 

Bardwell. 

Wykes or Wicken. 

Wyken Hall. 

Barnham al. Pley- 
ford's. 

Calthorp. 

Baggotts. 

Barningham or Bar- 
ningham Hall al. 
Senders. 

Netherhall. 

Holdens al. Haldens. 

Coney Weston. 

Culford. 

East Hall al. Syfre- 

wats. 
Elmswell. 
Euston al. Little 

Hall or Verleys. 
Great Fakenham. 
Ringmere or Grange. 

Little Fakenham. 



Ixworth . . 
Knettishall . 

Langham . . 

Livermere 
(Little) .. 

Norton 

Rickinghall 
Inferior . . 

Sapiston . . 



Stanton 
Stowlangtoft 
Thelnetham . 
Thorpe . . 



Ixworth. 

Knettishall. 

Stanton. 

Salthouse. 

Langham. 

Livermere Parva al. 

Morieles or Mury- 

elle. 
Norton. 
Harding. 
Little Haugh. 
Rickinghall Inferior 

al. Westhall. 
Sapiston. 
Sapiston Grange or 

Manor. 

Stanton All Saints. 
Stanton St. John, 

Mickfields and 

Badwells. 

Stowlangtoft Hall. 
Colvyles. 
Thelnetham. 
Cressy. 

Eye Thelnetham. 
The Rectory of Thel- 
netham. 

Thorpe by Ixworth. 



254 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 


Pariahe*. 


Manors 


Parishes. 


Manors. 




Hepworth. 


Troston . . 


( Troston. 
I Rougtownes. 


Hepworth . . 


Riveshall al. Rushall 
al. Reeve's. 
North Hall. 
Master Stephen's. 


Walsham le 
Willows . . 


1 Walsham. 
Churchhouse or 
Easthouse. 




Brett's. 
Hinderclay. 


Wattisfield . 


( Wattisfield. 
Gyffords and Hal- 


Hinderclay . 


Bartford Soham 




lymote. 


Honington... 
Hopton 

Hunston . . 


( Hall. 
Honington. 
Hopton. 
| Hunston. 
j Nycols or Nicoll. 


Weston 
Market 

West Stow . 


Weston Market. 

f West Stow. 
{ Jenney's. 


Ingham 


Ingham. 


Wordwell . . 


Wordwell. 



In 1561 the Hundred was granted to Sir Nicholas Bacon knt., Lord 
Keeper, as parcel of the possessions of the suppressed Monastery of St. 
Edmunds ; it has since passed as the Redgrave estate and is now vested in 
Mr. G. H. Wilson of Redgrave Hall. The following is a summary of its 
devolution : 

1561 Sir Nicholas Bacon by grant, d. 1579.' 
1579 Sir Nicholas Bacon son and heir ist Bart. d. 1624. 
1624 Sir Edmund Bacon son and heir 2nd Bart. d. s.p. 1649. 
1649 Sir Robert Bacon brother and heir 3rd Bart. d. 1655. 
1655 Sir Edw. Bacon grandson and heir 4th Bart. d. 1685. 
1685 Sir Richard Bacon 5th Bart. 
Sir John Holt. 

1709 John Holt d. 1710. 

1710 Rowland Holt brother of Sir John. 
1719 Thomas Holt son and heir d. 1726. 
1726 Rowland Holt uncle d. 1739. 
1739 Rowland Holt son and heir d. 1786. 

1786 Thomas Holt brother and heir d. 1799, gave it to 
1799 George Wilson his nephew d. 1826. 
1826 George St. Vincent Wilson son and heir d. 1852. 
1852 George Holt Wilson son and heir. 

Amongst the Additional Charters in the British Museum will be found 
deeds relating to this Hundred from the time of Hen. III. to 1678,' and suit 
of Court of its Hundred was claimed by William Whitene for Bury Abbey in 
1323,' and land in the Hundred is included in the Inquisition p.m. of Thomas 
de Lovayne in 1345.' Suit of Court &c. also in that of Roesia wife of Sir 
Edmund de Pakenham in 1353,' and of Richard de Pakenham in 1383.' 
The Hundred is also included in the Inquisition p.m. of Anna one of the 
daughters and coheirs of John Filliott in 1397.' Particulars as to Musters 
in this Hundred in 1539 will be found in the State Papers for 1539 ;" and in 



The grant to Sir Nicholas was by way of 
lease, the reversion being granted 
to Sir Thomas Drury, from whom 
Sir Nicholas Bacon subsequently 
acquired the same. 

Add. Ch. 10520-10529. 



3 I.Q.D., 17 Edw. II. 171. 

I.P.M., 19 Edw. III. 44. 
1 I.P.M., 27 Edw. III. 64. 
I.P.M., 7 Rich. II. 62. 

' I.P.M., 21 Rich. II. 24. 

S.P., 1539, 898. 



BLACKBOURN HUNDRED. 



255 



the same papers for 1565 (?) will be found the statement that at that time 
the livings of three churches in this Hundred were vacant. 1 

An account of the charge of every town in this Hundred for the supply 
of 5 men out of Bury in 1570, and a Precept for taxing the Hundred towards 
the relief of prisoners at Bury will be found amongst the Harleian MSS. 
in the British Museum 2 ; and in the same collection of MSS. may be seen 
an Order dated the 22 April 31 Elizabeth [1589] for suppressing rogues, 
vagabonds, idle, loitering, and lewd persons in the Hundred, with a Bill of 
Rates on every town for mustering [193] men at Bury. 3 Amongst the same 
MSS. will be found a note of the able men in this Hundred and their furni- 
ture, 4 and the names of trained shot, pikemen, and bowmen 5 ; also a note of a 
claim for rent by Sir Symonds D'Ewes in right of his Manor of Stowhall 
from the Hundred. 6 Amongst the State Papers for 1623 is a certificate as 
to corn in the Hundred. 7 

A Parliamentary Survey of the Hundred about 1650 will be found 
in the Record Office 8 ; and in the British Museum a subsidy roll for the 
Hundred in i66i 9 ; also a rental of Rowland Holt, lord of the Hundred in 
1716, with list of subsequent tenants to 1732. 10 



' S.P., 1565, Addenda 577. 

* Harl. MSS. 309. 

' Harl. MSS. 364, 366. 

' Harl. MSS. 366. 

5 Harl. MSS. 309. 



6 Harl. MSS. 97. 

7 State Papers, 1623, 549. 

8 D.K. 8th Rep. App. ii. p. 67. 
' Add. MSS. 21036. 

10 Add. Ch. 26582. 




256 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



ASH FIELD. 

IN the time of Edward the Confessor one of the manors in 
Ashfield was held by Achi with 3 carucates of land. There 
were 9 bordars, 4 ploughteams in demesne, 12 acres of 
meadow, wood for 60 hogs, 2 rouncies, 2 beasts, 25 sheep, 
and 10 hives of bees, and the value was 60 shillings. By 
the time of the Norman Survey the ploughteams in demesne 
had come down to 3, the 60 hogs had been reduced to 15, and 
the 25 sheep to 10, but the value had remained unaffected. 1 There were 
also 14 freemen under commendation with 80 acres, I ploughteam, 4 acres 
of meadow, and wood for 4 hogs, the whole valued at 8 shillings. The 
Abbot of Edmund's had also a considerable holding in Ashfield, namely, 
21 freemen with a carucate and a half of land, i villein, 4 bordars, 
5 ploughteams, 12 acres of meadow, and wood sufficient for 20 hogs. 
These men could give or sell their lands, but by sac and soc and 
commendation they would remain under the Abbot. The value was 33 
shillings. Of the above freemen and of this land Odar held 17 freemen 
with a carucate and 30 acres of land, and 4 ploughteams of the value of 30 
shillings, part of the above sum. 

There was also i socman with half a carucate of land and 2 bordars, i 
ploughteam, 4 acres of meadow, wood for 4 hogs. Over this socman the 
Abbot had soc and sac and commendation, and without his licence the soc- 
man could not part with his land. The value was 10 shillings. There was 
also a church with 12 acres of free land. The length of this holding was 
10 quarentenes and the breadth 5, and it paid in a gelt nfrf. a 

Another manor in Ashfield was held in the Confessor's time by Ketel 
the Dane, a freeman who had i carucate of land, 2 bordars, 2 serfs, 2 plough- 
teams in demesne, 4 acres of meadow, and wood sufficient to support 20 
hogs. Three freemen under him had 22 acres and half a ploughteam. 
There were 2 rouncies, 4 beasts, 24 hogs, 32 sheep, 40 goats, which by the 
time of the Great Survey were varied thus : The hogs one less, the sheep 
68 more, the goats 28 less. The value, however, remained the same in both 
Saxon and Norman times namely 30 shillings. Over Ketel, Robert le 
Blund's predecessor had commendation, and according to the Great Record 
William then held Ketel of Robert le Blund. In the same place there were also 
3 freemen under commendation having I carucate of land, and 60 acres and 
i bordar. There were 3 ploughteams, 4 acres of meadow, wood for 4 hogs, 
valued at 30 shillings. Over these men two soldiers held. There was also 
a church with 9 acres. The extent of the holding was n quarentenes long 
and ii broad, and it paid in a gelt 



ASHFIELD MAGNA MANOR. 

From Robert le Blund, the Domesday tenant, both manors men- 
tioned in Ashfield descended as one in his family in the same course as the 
manor of Ixworth in this Hundred to the time of Sir William le Blund 
who was slain at the battle of Lewes in I2&4. 4 On Sir William's death 
without issue, this manor passed to Agnes his sister and one of his coheirs 

1 Dom. ii. 439. ' Dom. ii. 439- 

Dom. ii. 367. 4 I.P.M., 48 Hen. III. file 30 (20). 



ASHFIELD. 257 

who had married William de Criketot. Of him the King took homage for this 
manor as one of the heirs of Sir William le Blund in 1264.' Wm. de Criketot 
died about 1299, when ^ e was found to have held this manor and those of Ix- 
worth and Ousden, leaving a second William de Criketot his son and heir. 
This William died about 1307,' and the manor passed to his son a third 
William de Criketot, who died in 1310, and it was assigned to Joan his wife as 
part of her dower and subject thereto went to a fourth William her son. 3 
Amongst the Harleian Rolls in the British Museum is a compotus of Nicholas 
Diggelar, provost of Sir William Cricketot for the Manor of Ashfield, Mich. 3 
and 4 Edw. III. [i329~3o]. 4 He died about 1343, and was succeeded by his 
son and heir a fifth Sir William de Criketot who the same year enfeoffed 
Michael de Ponynges, John Botiler and others of the Manor in trust to re- 
grant the same to him and Joan de Ponynges his wife in tail. 5 The manor 
then seems to have been composed of 2 messuages, 2 carucates of arable 
land, 20 acres of meadow, 40 acres of pasture, 200 acres of wood and 61. of 
rent in Gt. Ashfield, Little Ashfield, Badwell, Honterston, and Walsham. 

Sir William de Criketot died about 1354 and was succeeded by his son 
and heir William, who died without issue. This last William Criketot and 
Joan his wife granted the manor to Richard de Pakenham who had married 
Joan the heir of the Criketots, and he and his wife Joan in 1371 enfeoffed John 
de Cove parson of Berdewell and others, no doubt by way of settlement. 
The following year Richard de Pakenham and Joan his wife received a 
licence to enfeoff this John de Cove and John Atte Chaumbre chaplain, of the 
manor, except one carucate, 7 and the year following Richard de Pakenham 
paid a fine for the transgression which William, son and heir of Sir Wm. 
Criketot and Joan his wife had committed in granting to Joan, after the 
death of the said William, the manor, except one carucate. 8 Blomefield 
mentions that in the 47th of Edw. III. William Walsham and Thomas 
Ikeworth released to Richard de Pakeham and Joan his wife (heir to the 
Criketots), and to the heirs of their body, all their rights in the lands in 
Ashfield Magna and Parva, Hunteston, Langham, Walsham, Wyverston, 
and Wetherden, except the lands that Alberick de Wyke gave to Wm. 
Criketot and Isabel his wife. 9 In 1379 Richard de Pakenham and Joan 
his wife obtained a licence to enfeoff John de Cove and John Martel of the 
manor (except one carucate) and for the feoffees to regrant the same to 
Richard and Joan his wife, with remainder to John son of Sir Richard 
Fyliol, John de Rookwode, Roger de Wolfreston, and John Rokele in fee. 10 
Richard de Pakenham died in 1383." 

In 1387 Roger de Wolferston and John Rokele who with John son of 
Sir Richard Filyoll were joint tenants of the manor (with the exception of 
one carucate) held in chief, released all their interest to the said John son 
of Sir Richard Filyoll in fee simple ; and John Filyoll having the full estate 
enfeoffed Roger and John Rokele and Sir Richard de Sutton, Edmund de 
Lakynghath, Roger son of the said Roger, William Wyght, and John 
Fordham chaplain. 12 John Filyoll died seised in 1390, when the manor 

' Fine Rolls, 48 Hen. III. 3. ' Orig. 46 Edw. III. 36 ; Feet of Fines, 47 

1 I.P.M., William, son of William de Edw. III. 8. 

Criketot and Maria his wife 35 8 Originalia, 47 Edw. III. 31. 

Edw. III. 133. ' Vol. vii. p. 461. 

' Close Rolls, 3 Edw. II. gd. '" Pat. Rolls, 3 Rich. II. pt. iii. 18 ; Feet 

4 Harl. Rolls, A. n. of Fines, 3 Rich. II. 16. 

' Pat. Rolls, 17 Edw. III. pt. i. 260 ; 17 " I.P.M., 7 Rich. II. 62. 

Edw. III. 55. " Pat. Rolls, n Rich. II. pt. ii. 15. 
6 I.P.H-, 45 Edw. III. 2nd nos. 51. 

Gl 



THE 'MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

passed in moieties to his two daughters, Joan wife of Thomas House, and 
Anna. 1 

Thomas House died about 1418," being at his death apparently seised 
of the whole manor, which passed to his son and heir Walter House of Thorpe 
in Essex. 5 Walter House conveyed the manor to William Narbourgh of 
Narbourgh, Richard Bosourn and Master Simon Baret clerk in fee, no 
doubt by way of settlement. He made the assurance without licence, and 
subsequently received a pardon for the transgression on payment of a fine to 
the King. 4 He died in 1457,' and the manor was inherited by his son and 
heir George House, who died in 1466,* leaving Robert Mortymer his next 
heir then aged 24. On the death of Robert Mortimer the manor went to his 
widow Isabella who died in 1507,' and then it passed to Elizabeth wife 
of George Guildforde. It subsequently vested in Sir John Guildford who in 
1549 s ld it to Sir Thomas Darcy, Lord Darcy and Elizabeth his wife, 8 and 
Lord Darcy in 1553 sold to Sir Robert Rochester K.G., 9 who died 28 
November 1556,' and was succeeded by his brother and heir William 
Rochester. William's son and heir John, and John's son Emeric, sold the 
manor to Sir Nicholas Bacon knt. in 1561," he vested it first in Sir Robert 
Catlyn and others in 1566," then in 1570 in Sir Thomas Gresham knt. and 
others as trustees,' 3 and finally in 1587 sold it to Jeffrey Lyttell. In 1589 
John Cavell seems to have been lord, but probably as trustee, for we find 
John Lyttell, son and heir of Jeffrey, had livery of the manor in 1627. ' 4 

The manor later passed into the Smith or Hovel alias Smith family, 
which was seated at the old mansion called Lee now Lee farm until 
Elizabeth daughter of Robert Smith by Anne his wife dau. and coheir of 
Robert Torkington of Brettenham married the Rev. Thomas Thurlow 
rector of Ashfield. Edward Thurlow their eldest son became Lord High 
Chancellor in 1778, and was elevated to the Peerage 3 June 1778 as Baron 
Thurlow of Ashfield. He had been Perse scholar at Gonville and 
Caius College Cambridge, but removed for misconduct. He was re- 
tained for the appellants to the House of Lords in the case of Douglas 'v. 
Hamilton when the decision of the Court of Session was reversed, and 
fought a duel with the Duke of Hamilton's agent Andrew Stuart who had 
the conduct of the case on the other side. Thurlow filled the offices of Soli- 
citor and Attorney General in 1770 and 1771. Various opinions have been 
entertained as to his talents, but none have questioned that his temper was 
overbearing and imperious. He was dreaded by some and respected by 
many, held an extreme view of the royal prerogative, and could brook no 
opposition to his own. Mr. Burke, when once asked his opinion of Lord 
Thurlow, expressed himself in the following terms : "He was an oak at 



1 A moiety of manor, Anna Fillioll. I.P.M., 
21 Rich. II. 24 ; other moiety 
Wm. Asshe, Hen. Colafre, Thomas 
House and Joan his wife. I. P.M., 
21 Rich. II. 100. 

I.P.M., 6 Hen. V. 4. 

1 In 1429 John Howes did homage to the 
Abbot of St. Edmunds for his 
estates in Ashfield (Regr. Curteys, 
fol. 51). 

Pat. Rolls, 5 Hen. VI. pt. ii. 19. 

5 I.P.M., 36 Hen. VI. 25. 

6 George House and Joan his wife. I. P.M., 

6 Edw. IV. 23. 



' I.P.M., 22 Hen. VII. 

8 Fine, Easter, 3 Edw. VI. 

' Fine, Easter, I Mary. 

I.P.M., 4 and 5 Ph. and M. 44. 

" Fine, Easter, 3 Eliz. ; Memoranda Rolls, 

3 Eliz. Mich. Rec. Rot. 25. 
" Fine, Mich. 8 Eliz. 
11 A fine of the manor was levied in 1579 

by Sir Nicholas Bacon against 

Nathaniel Bacon and others (Fine, 

Mich. 21, 22 Eliz.). 
" Chancery D.K.R. 43. App. i. p. 85. 



ASHFIELD. 259 

Norwood, but a willow at St. James's." On the 12 June 1792 his lordship 
was created Baron Thurlow of Thurlow, with remainder to his brothers and 
their male descendants, and dying a bachelor the 12 Sept. 1806 was succeeded 
by his nephew Edward Hovell Thurlow, eldest son of his next brother 
Thomas, Bishop of Durham. The 2nd Baron Thurlow, married Katherine 
Bolton and assumed the surname of Hovell in 1814 in consequence of his 
descent maternally from Richard Hovell esquire of the body to King Hen. V. 
He died 3 June 1829, and the manor passed to his son Edward Thomas 3rd 
Baron who married Sarah only dau. of Peter Hodgson, and dying 2 March 
1857 was succeeded by his eldest son Edward Thomas Hovell-Thurlow, 
4th Baron, on whose death without issue in 1874 the manor went with the 
title to his brother Thomas John Hovell-Thurlow Cumming Bruce 5th 
Baron who was a Lord in Waiting to the Queen 1880-5 and 1886, Pay- 
master-General in 1886 and Lord High Commissioner of the Gen. Assembly 
of the Church of Scotland in 1886. He was lord of the manor in 1896, 
but the lordship now seems to be held by George Payne. There is a rental 
of Robert Aisshefelde in the I4th cent., and an imperfect terrier or rental 
of the Manor of Ashfield of the I5th cent, amongst the Harleian Rolls in 
the British Museum. 1 

ABRI WICKS al. ALLRED WYKES. 

There was a small manor here known as Alriwicks al. Allred Wykes or 
Aubry Wikes or Albergh Wykes, which must not be confounded with the 
manor of Wykes or Wicken which are two manors in Bardwell. Abriwicks 
belonged to Sir William Criketot and passed from him to John Cokerell 
of Ashfield, and his wife Katherine died seised of it in 1428,' when it 
devolved on their granddaughter and heir Katherine, daughter of John 
Cokerell, and she died in 1432 under age. The manor appears later to have 
vested in Edward Tenrue, and in 1554 to have passed from him to William 
Smyth. 3 Subsequently it became vested in William Masham and devolved 
as the Manor of Strikelandhall in Little Ashfield, the descent of which is 
given later. 



Harl. Rolls, A. 8, 10, 13. 3 Fine, Mich. 2 Mary. 

Extent. I.P.M., 6 Hen. VI. 23 ; 6 Hen. 
VI. 63 ; 7 Hen. VI. 63. 




2f5o THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



BADWELL ASH OR LITTLE ASHFIELD MANOR. 

seems very probable that this had the same lords with 
Ashfield Magna till it was given to Ixworth Priory. Davy 
says that William de Crikrtot was lord in the time of Edw. 
II. He died about 1310, and was succeeded by his son 
and heir William de Criketot who died about 1343, and was 
succeeded by his son and heir Sir William, who died about 
I 354? 1 3 The manor then passed to the Priory of Ixworth, 
and on the dissolution of that house was vested in the Crown. In 1538 it was 
granted by Hen. VIII. to Richard Codington who died without i^sue in 
1567 and was succeeded by his widow Elizabeth. 4 The manor was 
left in fee by her husband to Elizabeth, and her daughter Dorothy 
Caryll had a son John Caryll who became lord on the death of his grand- 
mother under her will. In 1609 Sir John Caryll was lord, after which the 
manor passed to R. Clough of Feltwell co. Norfolk, who died in 1733, and 
was succeeded by Robert Clough, when it descended in the same course 
as Strikeland Hall Manor, the devolution of which is next given. 

STRIKELAND HALL MANOR. 

Another manor of Badwell Ash known as Strikeland or Shakerland Hall 
was from early times vested in Ixworth Priory, and continued so vested 
until the time of the Dissolution, for there is as late as 1533 an award con- 
cerning a lease of this manor granted by the Priory. 5 In 1538 the manor 
was granted by the Crown to Richard Codington, on whose death it passed to 
his widow Elizabeth, and she took proceedings in Chancery in the early part 
of Elizabeth's reign against Robert Clarke concerning the manor. 6 In 1570 
Elizabeth Codington obtained licence to alienate it to Philip Barrow M.D., 
who three years later sold to William Masham citizen and grocer of 
London, 7 who died in 1606, and was succeeded by William Masham, his 
son and heir, and he by his son and heir Sir William Masham of High 
Laver in the County of Essex, created a Baronet in 1621. 

The manor was subsequently purchased by Samuel Clough, who dying 
in 1712 was succeeded by his son and heir Robert who died in 1733, and 
was followed by another Robert whose 2nd son, but heir, R. Cyrill Clough, 
of Feltwell co. Norfolk, was lord in 1764. In 1827 Pleasance Rebecca and 
Catherine Clough coheirs were ladies of the manor, and it eventually 
passed to Catherine who married W. Newcome. The Rev. William Cyril 
Newcome of Boothby Pagnell Rectory, Lincolnshire, was lord in 1855 and 
in 1885. The manor is now vested in Francis d'Arcy William Clough 
Newcome of Thurston, eldest son of Edward Clough Newcome, J .P. and D.L. 
of Feltwell Hall, Norf., by Amelia dau. of the Very Rev. Peter S. Wood, 
Dean of Middleham co. York. 

BRUSHES al. BROOKESHULL MANOR. 

This manor also belonged to the Priory of Ixworth, and on the Disso- 
lution was granted in 1538 by Hen. VIII. in exchange to Richard Codington 8 

1 xooa. of land and 6 meadow in Little * As to the Codingtons, see Ixworth 
Ashfield. William de Criketot and Manor in this Hundred. 

Joan his wife. I.P.M., 3 Edw. II. 52. Add. Ch. 18816. 

' I.P.M., 28 Edw. III. 48. C.P. ser. ii. B. xlv. 7. 

1 As to the Criketots, see Langham Manor ' Fine, Mich. 15 Eliz. 

in this Hundred. See Ixworth Manor in this Hundred. 



BAD WELL ASH OR LITTLE ASHFIELD MANOR. 261 

who died the 27 May 1567 having devised it to his widow. Elizabeth 
died in 1571, and by her will devised the manor to her grandson John 
Caryll. It subsequently passed to John Moseley who sold it the 26th 
October, 1841, to George Mayhew his then tenant for 8,870. At that time 
it was only a reputed manor, and the sale included not only Brook Hall 
Farm, but also Tiptoft's Farm, in the whole 306 acres. 




262 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



BARDWELL. 

HIS was the lordship of the Abbots of Bury. The Abbot 
held in the time of the Domesday Survey 8 freemen with 
2 carucates and 30 acres of land, which men Bucard held. 
There were 4 bordars, 2 serfs, 4 ploughteams, 2 parts of a 
mill, n acres of meadow, and wood for 8 hogs. Also a 
^church with 8 acres of free land. The men could give or 
sell the land, but the sac, soc, and commendation remained 
in the Abbot's hands. The land had formerly been valued at 20 shillings 
but had then risen to 60. Under the freemen were 20 socmen of whom the 
Abbot had 10 with 30 acres, and one ploughteam (valued at 5 shillings), 
and Peter de Valoines' held the other 10 with half a carucate of land and 
one ploughteam (valued at 10 shillings). The whole land was a league 
long and 6 quarentenes broad and in a gelt paid 33^." Another small 
holding was that of Richard son of Earl Gislebert which consisted of a free- 
man under commendation with 30 acres, i bordar, and half a ploughteam 
valued at 5 shillings. 3 The invasions on the King here were the mansions 
of a certain freeman under the Abbot of Bury, half a freeman under the 
Abbot holding 8 acres valued at i6d., and 10 acres in the holding of a certain 
freewoman under the Abbot valued at zod. To all this W. de Partenai 
invaded upon the Abbot's right, and he held the commendation of one 
freeman. 4 

BARDWELL MANOR. 

Nothing here apparently from the time of the Conquest to the Great 
Survey was held as a manor, but was so shortly after, probably when 
Baldwin who was Abbot of the Monastery from 1065 to 1097 granted to 
Ralph de Berdewelle in fee. 

The Berdwells always bore for their arms Arg. a goat saliant, gul. 
armed or, and for their rebus or device a bear with a well on his back, and 
the two letters " de " which made up the word " Bear-de-welle " or Bard- 
well ; and for a crest on a wreath or and sable a goat's head erased gul. 
attired or, mantled sal. doubled arg. 

In 1196 William son of a Ralph de Berdewelle held the manor at 2 
knights' fees, as he acknowledged in a fine then levied between him and 
Abbot Sampson. 

In 1315 Davy says John de Pakenham was lord, but gives no hint in 
what capacity, and he makes the next lord John de Berdewell, son of the 
above William, which is not at all likely, having regard to the dates he gives 
and the allotted period of man's life. Davy follows this last John by 
another John who died in 1298 and was succeeded by a Thomas, his son and 
heir, who died in 1338, who was followed by his son Thomas the father 
of Sir William Berdwell, who died in 1400.' But Davy here is somewhat 
confused. Page, who simply copies from Blomefield, gives the descent 
more accurately, but unfortunately omits a portion of Blomefield which 
justifies the subsequent descent of the manor. It seems (for the descent 
is not very clear and Blomefield's account is obviously inaccurate) that 

1 See Great Fakenham Manor in this 4 Dom. ii. 4486. 

Hundred. * Davy says one son Thomas who had 3 

Dom. ii. 366. sons and one daughter. 

' Dom. ii. 391. 



BARDWELL. 263 

John the son of William the son of Ralf had a son John who was lord of 
Gasthorp in Norf. in 1274. He had two wives both named, according to 
some, Sarah, but the second wife's name was probably Elizabeth. She was 
daughter of Sir John Furneaux of Herlingco. Norf. John the son of Ralf 
by the first of these wives had three sons and a daughter Alice who 
married John Rivet of Freton. The eldest son was Thomas who had the 
whole manor by release from his brothers, and he married Amy, daughter 
of Sir Nicholas de Beaufo, and died about 1342, leaving a son John Berd- 
well who in 1348 was lord. John Berdwell by his wife Isabel daughter of 
Sir Thomas Barra knt. had a son William Berdwelle, who had free warren 
allowed him in Bardwell and Thorpe. He married Elizabeth, daughter of 
Thomas Hethe, lord of Hengrave, Denham by Barrow, and Saxham 
Parva, and died seised of this manor leaving Margaret his only daughter 
married to John Harleston. But the manor it is said for want of male 
issue reverted to Sir William Berdewell, the renowned warrior who was 
the male heir, being son of William, son of John de Berdewelle by his 
second wife Elizabeth daughter of Sir John Furneaux. This Sir William 
was born in 1367 and according to the custom of that period was retained 
by different lords and gentlemen to fight either the battles of the King or 
their own. In 1407 when he was not more than 40 he was one of the knights 
summoned as a witness for Sir Edward Hastings of Elsing in the cause 
between him and Sir Reginald Grey, Lord Ruthin, concerning the Hastings 
arms, and the evidence shows indirectly the service he had seen. For he 
swore that he was a soldier with Sir Hugh Hastings in a voyage made by 
Sir John Arundel on the sea and saw Sir Hugh bear the arms of Or, a 
maunch gul. with a label of three points Arg. In the voyage of the Halves 
del He, in the voyage of King Richard II. into Scotland, in Bretaigne, and in 
the Duke of Lancaster's voyage into Spain, he observed the same device. 
In 1382 he was retained by Sir John Clifton of Bokenham Castle to serve 
him with 7 men at arms and 6 archers on horseback in the voyage of 
Croyserge and by the King for one year for 100 marks for himself with 
Bouche de Court, and for his 7 men at arms and 6 archers 392 marks, to be 
paid half down and the rest quarterly as the Bp. of Norwich should pay 
Sir John Clifton. In 1387 he covenanted with the Lord Camoys to serve 
under him in the naval expedition under the command of the Lord Arundel 
then Admiral of England for a period of 4 months with 2 esquires sufficiently 
armed and 3 archers, and each of his men at arms to have one servant to 
carry their bayonets, Sir William to find them wages. He was to have 
18 marks for his own service and 20 marks for his archers, and Bouche de 
Court for all his retinue, all of them to be ready at Southampton the 4th 
May following, and " if any great chieftain was taken in the war by Sir 
William or his retinue the Lord Camoys was to have him, giving sufficiently 
to him and his men that should have taken him." He was not only a skilful 
soldier, but a pious individual, for we find he built the porch, part of the 
steeple, and most of the windows of Bardwell Church about 1421. His 
effigy is depicted in rich stained glass in one of the windows of the nave, 
and his sword still hangs on the north wall. 1 

He married Margaret daughter of Theobald (or John) de Pakenham. 
Sir William' swill is dated at Bury on the ist Oct. 1434, and there he died soon 
after for it was proved on the 2gth of the same month. He desires to be 
buried in the chancel of the parish church to the reparation of which he 
leaves 405 . and 205. to repair the roads. He leaves to Robert his son and heir 

' Gent. Mag. July, 1825, Suff. Inst. ii. 47. 



264 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

his basilard, and all his gilt armour, and his best girdle with his loose gown 
furred with beaver. John his eldest son and his issue by his wife Elizabeth 
dau. and coheir of Sir John (or Thomas) Clopton, William, and Rose died 
before Sir William. Sir William died seised not only of Bardwell Hall 
Manor, but also of Wykes Manor and Wyken in Bardwell. In his lifetime 
he had settled this manor on Ralph and Robert de Bernyngham for their 
lives, remainder to Robert Berdewell his son, remainder to William, son 
of Robert, and his heirs. 

Davy makes out that this manor in some way he does not state how- 
came back to the old channel, and that Margaret late wife of John 
Harleston, only daughter of William, ultimately succeeded. There is a 
fine of the manor levied in 1440 between Robert W. . . clerk, Hugh Acton cl., 
Thomas Welbys, Edmund Cowper cl., and John Goddye of Norwich 1 
against John Cok and Margaret his wife, who was wife of John, son of 
William Berdewell. 2 

It is not possible to say with certainty who this John son of William 
Berdewell was ; but a strong presumption is raised that though John Berde- 
well and his issue predeceased his father Sir William who died in 1434 John 
the eldest son had taken as a 2nd wife this Margaret and that the manor had 
passed to her. If so it is possible that it was under this fine in 1440 that 
the manor passed to Margaret Berdewell wife of John Harleston. Margaret 
Harleston died in 1459 and was succeeded by her son and heir John 
Harleston. He died apparently immediately afterwards without issue, 
and was succeeded by his sister and coheir Margaret the wife of Thomas 
Darcy of Danbury son of Sir Robert Darcy son of Robert Darcy escheator 
for the County of Essex in the time of Hen. V. Thomas Darcy was an 
Esquire of the Body to Hen. VI. and Edw. IV. 

Under a partition deed dated 2oth May i Rich. III. [1484] the manors 
of Bardwell, Wikes, Wyken, Norton, and others were allotted to Thomas 
Darcy and Margaret his wife in special tail. The partition was between 
them and Margaret's sister Alice and her husband Sir Richard Fitz Lewes and 
is more fully referred to under Norton Manor in this Hundred. Thomas 
Darcy died in 1486 and Margaret Darcy in 1489, when the manor passed 
to her son Roger Darcy. Davy mentions that Emma, wife of William 
Brond, was lady of this manor and died in 1495. He cites no authority, 
but there is an Inquisition 10 Hen. VII. which supports the statement. It 
was found in 1495 that the manor was worths marks and held of the Abbot 
of Bury by knight service, and that Emma Brond had died leaving an 
infant heir Wm. Brond then aged 2. 3 Possibly Emma was a daughter of 
Thomas Darcy and had married one William Brond (for such was her 
husband's name) and that her father had left this manor to her. However 
this may be, the manor was in 1536 vested in George Brond who sold it 
in that year to Sir Thomas Jermyn 1 of Rushbrooke. 5 Amongst the 
State Papers in 1540 is a grant of lands to Sir Thomas in this place 
described as " belonging to the late Monastery of Bury." 6 He died 
seised of the manor the 8th Oct. 1552,* when it passed to his son and 
heir Sir Ambrose Jermyn by Anne Spring his first wife. Sir Ambrose 
Jermyn married ist Anne d. and coheir of George Heveningham, and 2ndly 
Dorothy d. of William Badbye and relict of Sir George Blage knt. and died 

1 Probably the trustees of the settlement 4 See Manor of Rushbrooke inThedwestry 

above referred to. Hundred. 

' Feet of Fines, 18 Hen. VI. 20. > Fine, Hil. 28 Hen. VIII. 

I.P.M., 10 Hen. VII. 1095. 6 State Papers, 1540, 436 (81). 

' I.P.M., 7 Edw. VI. 66. 



BARDWELL. 265 

seised in 1577, according to the Davy MSS., being succeeded by his son and 
heir Robert. 1 Sir Robert Jermyn served under Robert Dudley Earl of 
Leicester in his first mission to the Low Countries in 1586, in aid of the 
United Provinces in their great contest with Spain. Of Sir Robert the 
Earl writes to Mr. Secretary Walsingham i4th February 1585-6 trans- 
mitting the letter by Sir Robert : " Mr. Secretary, this gentleman Sir 
Robert Jarmine hathe in my knowledge causes of great weight which force 
him at this tyme to come over. He myndeth to retourne hither within a 
moneth or therabowtes, and for that tyme he may be best spared hence. 
I have founde him to be very wise and stowt, and most willing and ready 
to this service, and he hathe come hither as well appointed as any that 
hathe commen over. I very hartely pray you to accounpt of him as of one 
specially recommended to you from me, and yf he shall neade your favour 
in his causes, that you will the rather affourd it him for my sake. I wilbe 
behoulden to you for it and so with my right harty commendacions I commit 
you to the Allmightye. From the Haghe in Hollande, the xiiijth of Feb. 

1585- 

Your very loving frende, 

R. LEYCESTER. 

I nede not commend this gentleman to ye, but assuredly he ys gretly to 
be estemed. I besech further him yf he shall nede your favour." 2 

In September 1586 on sending him home again the Earl of Leicester 
writes to Mr. Secretary Walsingham of Sir Robert Jermin as follows : 

" Good Mr. Secretary, this good gentleman Sir Robert Jermin one that 
hath declared every way his hearty zeale and love both to religion and to her 
majestic, I have thought good euen in manner against his will, to send home, 
for winter is come to vs here alreadye, and he hath a sickly bodie, yet would 
no,. c orsake the feild. I have prayed him to deliver some matter to her 
majestic, which he shall imparte also to you. I2th September." 

Sir Robert Jermyn married Judith daughter of Sir George Blage knt. 
sister of Sir Henry and died in 1614, when the manor passed to his son and 
heir Sir Thomas Jermyn knt. 1 who married Catherine daughter of William 
Kellegrave of Hanworth co. Midd. and sold the manor to Wm. Rushbrooke 
in 1626. In the Rawlinson MSS. in the Bodleian however there is an 
entry that John Nunne was the holder of this manor in 1597.* 

The next lord according to some was Sir Henry Croftes of Little Saxham, 
but this is a mistake. What passed under the will of John Croftes in 1557 
was the Manor of Wykes in Bardwell of which we shall treat presently. The 
next lord there is any account of is Sir Patrick Blake of Langham (son of 
Andrew Blake) who was created a Baronet 8th Oct. 1772 and married 
Annabella dau. of the Rev. Sir William Bunbury, and had two sons Patrick 
and James Henry successive baronets. Sir Patrick was divorced from his 
wife by Act of Parliament in 1778, and dying in July 1784 was succeeded 
by his eldest son Sir Patrick Blake. He married Maria Charlotte only 
daur. of James Phipps of the Island of St. Christopher's, but died without 
issue i August 1818, when the manor passed to his brother Sir James 

1 This assumes that John the eldest son ' Harl. 285 pi. 207. 

of Sir Ambrose was then dead. He 3 See Rivershall Manor, Hepworth, in 

had married Margaret daughter this Hundred. 

of Edward Earl of Derby, and did * Rawl. B. 319. 

no doubt die without leaving any 

issue. 

HI 



266 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Henry Blake. He married Louisa Elizabeth daur. of General the Hon. 
Thomas Gage and granddaughter of Thomas ist Viscount Gage, and dying 
the 21 April 1832, his eldest son Sir Henry Charles Blake inherited the 
manor. He married ist Mary Anne only daur. of William Whitter of 
Midhurst Sussex, and 2ndly Louisa 3rd daur. and coheir of Sir Thomas 
Pilkington Bart, and widow of the Rev. G. A. Dawson. Sir Henry Blake 
died in 1880, and the manor passed to his grandson Sir Patrick James 
Graham Blake 5th Bart, the only son of the Rev. Henry Bunbury Blake 
rector of Hessett by Frances Marian only daur. of Henry James Oakes 
of Nowton Court, Bury St. Edmunds. Sir Patrick Blake is the present 
lord, and on the 18 Oct. 1883 married Emma Gertrude, only daughter of the 
late Thomas Pilkington Dawson, of Groton House by whom he has issue 
a son Cuthbert Patrick b. 2 Jan. 1885 R.N. and a daughter Veronica. 
Arms of Blake : Arg. a fret, gules. 

WYKES OR WICKEN MANOR. 

In the time of Edward the Confessor, Alan held here one carucate as a 
manor, with 5 bordars, 2 serfs, I ploughteam in demesne, 3 acres of 
meadow, wood for 8 hogs, a team of 2 oxen belonging to the men, 3 beasts, 
7 hogs, and 40 sheep. And there were 2 socmen with 10 acres and a team 
of 2 oxen. The value in Saxon times was 20 shillings, but it had risen in 
value to 30 under Norman influence. One serf had disappeared, there 
was an extra ploughteam in demesne, i rouncy, 8 more beasts, 6 more 
hogs, and 60 more sheep. Peter de Valoines was the Domesday tenant 
in chief and he also had here 8 freemen under commendation holding i 
carucate and n bordars, 2 ploughteams, 3 acres of meadow, wood for 2 
hogs, formerly of the value of 10 shillings, but at the time of the Survey of 
the value of 20 shillings.' Another manor was in Saxon days held by Aki 
with i carucate of land. There were 3 bordars, 3 serfs, 2 ploughteams in 
demesne, 3 acres of meadow, wood for 10 hogs, one rouncy, i beast, 12 
hogs and 25 sheep, and the value was 30 shillings. Though the value had 
not been altered by the time of the Norman Survey, the serfs had been 
reduced by one, one rouncy had been added, n hogs, and 13 sheep. The 
Domesday tenant in chief of this manor was Robert le Blund. He also 
held 5 freemen and a half under commendation, who had a carucate of land, 
2 bordars and had under them 2 freemen with 4 acres, 2 ploughteams, 6 
acres of meadow, and the fourth part of a mill, in Saxon times valued at 20 
shillings, but at the time of the Survey at 13. Robert also had a freeman 
under commendation with 60 acres and a bordar and i ploughteam valued 
at 10 shillings.' 

About 1230-1240 we meet with a grant of the manor with the advowson, 
amongst the Charters of the British Museum. 3 The grant was by Hugo de 
Schardelolke to Nicholoo daughter of Master Stephan de St. Edmunds 
" pro cc libris argenti datis in gersuman," and it included the advowson 
of the Church of Bardwell and of Knattishall rendering 6 marks for a rent 
to Walter son of Sibila de Calna, who sold the said manor to the said Hugo, 
to hold in fee of the said Hugo. 

In 1264 Richard de Wykes had free warren here, 4 and in the 9 Edw. I. 
Isabel de Wykes held the manor. It appears from the Patent Rolls that 
in 1277 a commission was issued to inquire as to the ejection of Robert de 

1 Dom. ii. 421. i Add. Ch. 15520. 

' Dom. ii. 4396. Chart. Rolls, 48 Hen. III. 4. 



BARD WELL. 



267 



Valoynges from Wikes Manor, he having custody of same, and abducing 
Edmund a minor the heir. 1 By the time of Edw. III. the manor had 
passed to the Pakenham family, though they seem to have held land here 
even earlier, and coeval with the de Wykes, for William de Pageham had a 
grant of free warren in Bardwell in 1259,' an< ^ m J 349 Mary the widow of 
Edmund de Pakenham held. In 1404 we find the manor vested in Sir 
William Berdewelle, for by a conveyance dated " die jov. p. a.f. S. Mary 
Virg. 5 Hen. IV." he and Margaret his wife assured the same to Sir Roger 
Drury, Nicholas Rys clerk, Nicholas Drury, John Lodewyk and others, no 
doubt by way of settlement. The assurance included the Manor of Ampton 
and advowson, the Manor of Thorpe juxta Ixworth, Wykene in Norton, 
the Manor of Wyken and Belhawe in Bardwell. 3 In 1422 amongst the 
Harleian Charters we meet with a letter of attorney from Sir John Hevenyng- 
ham, William Hanyngfelde and Radulph Greagres of Great Fakenham to 
Roger son of John Drury to deliver seisin of the manor to Sir William 
Berdewelle, William Copenger clerk, William Rowe clerk, Roger Irby clerk, 
and Edmund Heyford, and lands were also included in Bardwell, Stanton, 
Langham, Walsham le Willows, Ixworth, and Sapiston, 15 April 10 Hen. 
V. 4 Sir William Berdewell died seised of the manor in 1434. The Berdewell 
family had long previously held land in Bardwell and as early as 1288 we 
find amongst the Abbreviations of Pleas the finding of a jury that William 
de Berdewell ought not to have any common in Coningston appurtenant 
to any tenement of his in Bardwell. 5 The manor not unlikely came to the 
Berdewells by the marriage of this Sir William Berdewell with Margaret 
the only daughter and heir of John de Pakenham. It seems from the 
death of Sir William Berdewell 6 to have passed as the main manor to 
Margaret Harleston wife of John Harleston and then to the Darcy family, 
and Thomas Darcy Lord Darcy of Chiche was lord in 1553, when a fine 
was levied against him in respect of this manor by Sir John Crofts ; 7 but we 
do not find any mention of the Brond family in connection with its trans- 
mission. Sir John Crofts who thus acquired in 1553 made his will dated 
the 2ist Jan. 1557." Gage informs us in his account of Little Saxham 
that Sir John by his will entails his manor and park of Bardwell and other 
lands upon his second son Thomas Croftes with remainder over to Thomas 
and Henry sons of the testator's eldest son Edmund Croftes. This however 
seems to be a mistake, at least if the will as printed in the Little Saxham 
Parish Register by the Rev. S. H. A.Hervey is correct, for the manor is not 
mentioned and the devise of Bardwell park is in fee simple. " Item, I will, 
give, and bequeath unto my sonne Thomas Crofte his heirs and assignes for 
ever my parke and grounds called Bardwell Parke with all lyberties, profitts, 
and appurtenances thereunto belonging. Also I give and bequeath to the said 
Thomas Croftes all my shepe which at the tyme of my decease shal be goyng 
uppon the shepes pasture called Lowbekk. Also I gyve to the same Thomas 
all my shepe which at the tyme of my deceasse shal be goyng uppon the 
shepes course late Coketts in Barnham, the said Thomas paying to myn 
executors one hunderth pounds or ells to leave the shepe to pay my debtes." 
Testator goes on to provide "andwhereasl have before gyven and bequeathed 
to my son Thomas Crofte and his heirs the Parke and ground called Bardwell 



' Pat. Rolls, 5 Edw. I. tf. 

" Chart. Rolls, 43 Hen. III. 3, 4. 

3 Add. Ch. Brit. Mus. 15537. 

Harl. 51 F. i. 

5 Abbr. of PI. 16 Edw. I. Trin. 9. 



6 Extent. Wykes Manor. I. P.M., 13 

Hen. VI. 31. 
' Fine, Easter i Mary, Robert Asshefeld, 

Mich. I Mary. 
8 See West Stow Manor in this Hundred. 



268 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Parke which lieth in mortgage to George Sayes so as therby my will can not 
take effecte as my very meanyng and intente is, I will therefore gyve and 
assigne to the said Thomas Croft my sonne and to his heeres my manor of 
Calthorp Hall and Muriells with their members and appurtenances and with 
the stocke and store of shepe uppon the same manor uppon this condicion 
following, that is to say that yf the same Thomas and his heeres shall in 
eny manner of wyse be disturbed, letted, hyndered, or expulsed from the 
possession and occupying of the same ground called Bardwell Parke or any 
parcell thereof by my said sonne Edmond his heires and assignes or by any 
other for hym his heeres or in the name of theym or eny of them, this 
my gift of the same manor called Calthorp Hall and Muriells to stand good 
and effectuall anything before remembered or any other matters or causes 
to the contrary not with standing, I will nevertheless and gyve to my said 
sonne Edmond and his heeres the young pasturing and feding of vi. 
geldings within the said Parke and 30 dere out of the same Park."' 

Thomas Croftes the 2nd son of Sir John accordingly succeeded and died 
seised the 17 November, 1595. There is a mural monument on the north 
side of the chancel of Bardwell Church thus inscribed : 

Here lieth buried Thomas Crofts Esquire 
the second sonne of Sir John Croftes Knight 

deceased and Margret his wife ye 
eldest Daughter of Sir John Copuldicke Knight of Lin 

co'shire : She departed the first day of June 
1560 : and the said Thomas Crofts departed ye 
xviith Day of November 1595 being about the 

age of fourscore yeres ; leaving behind 

him two sonnes vidilicet Charles and Thomas 

and two daughters, Susan and Elizabeth. 

On Thomas Croftes's death he was succeeded by his son and heir Charles 
Croftes 2 who died nth February 1616, and his monument in the chancel 
of Ixworth Thorpe Church gives full details as to his marriages and family. 
It is as follows : " Here lyeth the body of Charles Croftes Esq. sonne and heir 
of Thomas Croftes of Bardwell Esq. He had two wives : his first wife was 
Elizabeth, sole daughter and heir of John Peirs of Norwold in the co. of 
Norfolk gent, by whom he had issue 3 sons and 3 daughters, viz., Charles 
Croftes his son and heir, John 2nd sonne, Robert 3rd sonne, Elizabeth 
eldest daughter married to Robert Drury Esq. sonne and heir of Sir Robert 
Drury of Rougham, knight, Susan 2nd daughter, Margaret 3rd daughter. 
His second wife was Thomasine daughter of Ralph Shelton of Broom co. 
Norfolk Esq., by whom he had no issue. She lyes buried here by him. He 
departed this life Feb. xi. A.D. 1616 in the 7Oth year of his age. The said 
Thomasine dyed March 8, 1617. The second Charles Croftes (jun.) in a 
religious memory of his deceased father caused this monument to be erected." 

The manor passed to the son and heir Charles Croftes. He was 
knighted at Whitehall the i2th May 1628. In July 1644 he is described as 
of Lincoln's Inn and Suffolk, and was assessed at 400. He paid his ^ 
and I in Suffolk, and got his discharge. He married 1st Cecilia Poley of 
Badley to whom there is a monument in Bardwell Church. His second 
wife was Jane daughter of Sir Rowland Litton of Knebworth in Herts. 
Sir Charles Croftes died the i2th December 1660 and was buried in Bardwell 

1 The will was proved in the P.C.C. 10 See Thorpe by Ixworth Manor in this 
May, 1559, by Osberd Mundford, Hundred, 

an executor. 



BARDWELL. 269 

Church beneath a handsome altar monument of marble and stone thus 
inscribed : 

Here resteth ye body of Sr. Charles Crofts 
Kt. expecting a glorious Resurrection 

he had two Wives. 

who his first was, her monument in this Church 
speaks. His second was Dame Jane the Dau 
ghter of Sr. Rowland Litton of Knebworth 

in Hartfordshire Kt. 

he left two Daughters by his first wife : 

the elder Bridget, Relict of Thomas Read 

Esqr. of Wrangle in Lincolnsshire one 

of his Executors 

the younger Cecilie wife of Francis Brewster 
of Wrentham in Suff. Esquire 

the other Executor 

he deceased Dec. 12, 1660 

aged 85 current. 

Sir Charles's widow Jane died the 2Qth April 1672 aged 70 and was 
buried at Knebworth. Sir Charles Croftes was succeeded by his daughter 
and coheir Bridget wife of Thomas Read of Wrangle co. Lincoln. She died 
the 8th March 1494 aged 80 and was succeeded by Charles Croftes Read (son 
of Sir Charles Croftes Read grandson of Sir Charles Croftes). His father 
Sir Charles Croftes Read had died in Oct. 1690 in the lifetime of his mother. 
There is a handsome altar monument of marble and stone to his memory 
in Bardwell Church with this inscription : 

Christ is risen 

and in hope also that it shall rise again 

lieth here the body of 

Sir Charles Crofts Read 

Grandson of Sr. Charles Crofts 

he had to wife Mary 
one of the daughters of Sr. Thos. Hewet 

of Pishobury in Hartfordshire 
by whom he had seven children 

whereof four are yet living 

Jane, Charles, Bridget and Thomas 

he died the gth of October 1690 

in the 38th year of his age. 

Charles Croftes Read who succeeded his grandmother Bridget, the 
daughter of Sr Charles Crofts, died the 8th August 1769 aged 71, and was 
the last of his family who had the manor. In the Church of Bardwell is a 
small mural marble thus inscribed to his memory : 

Due to the memory 

of 
Thomas Croftes Reade Esqre. 

In whom that name ceases 
Happily preserved for many generations, 

This stone is here placed 
Plain and undesembling as his Conduct : 

A small but grateful tribute 
Sacred to a valuable Friend and generous Benefactor 

The sense of whose Liberality 

Shall long survive in the Hearts of many 

Particularly experienc'd 

By Christ : Loft Esqre. 

who long esteem'd him and revers his Remains 

Ob. 8th Aug. 1769 

aetat. 71. 



270 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

He seems to have sold the manor in his lifetime, for we find Clement Cor- 
rance lord in 1723, and he on his death in 1734 was succeeded by his son and 
heir John Corrance who died in 1742 (? 1760) and was followed by his nephew 
William. William left a daughter and heir Catherine married to Edward 
Bouverie, and she was lady of the manor in 1788. Gage in his History of 
Thingoe Hundred 1 mentions the marriage of Bridget to Thomas Read and 
adds " whose grandson and heir Thomas Croftes Read dying without 
issue, the same (Bardwell Manor) was sold under the trusts of his will dated 
3rd March, 1769." 

In 1805 we find the manor in the hands of the Earl of Albemarle in 
whose descendant it is now vested. 

WYKEN HALL MANOR. 

This manor was acquired in 1815 by Thomas Halifax of Chadacre Hall, 
Shimpling, and is now in the possession of A. M. Wilson of Stowlangtoft 
Hall. 1 

TIPTOFTS al. WYVERSTONE TIPTOD'S MANOR. 

This was a small manor of Badwell Ash held by Ixworth Priory, and 
on the Dissolution granted by Hen. VIII. to Richard Codington, 3 after which 
it devolved apparently in a like course with the main manor. 



p. 135, note. > See Ixworth Manor. 

See Langham and Stowlangtoft Manors 
in this Hundred. 



BARNHAM. 



BARN HAM. 



271 




N Saxon times there were three manors in Barnham. One 
of these in the time of Edward the Confessor was held 
by Scula one of his thanes. The manor consisted of 
2 carucates of land and with it I bordar, 2 serfs, 2 plough- 
teams in demesne, I acre of meadow, one mill, 25 hogs, and 
10 sheep ; the value 30 shillings. The Abbot of Bury 
had the soc. By the time of the Domesday Survey the hogs 
were reduced to 14, but in lieu there were 3 beasts, and the sheep had 
increased from 10 to 120. The tenant in chief was Earl Hugh. 1 

The second manor was held by Ailwin Bishop of Thetford in King 
Edward the Confessor's time, and consisted of i carucate of land. There 
were 6 bordars, i serf, 2 ploughteams in demesne, half a ploughteam 
belonging to the men, 2 acres of meadow, i mill, 2 rouncies, 3 beasts, 14 
hogs, 12 forest mares, and 160 sheep. 5 freemen held 40 acres. The 
Abbot of Bury had soc and sac. The condition of the manor had not 
materially altered by the time of the Norman Survey, but the value had risen 
from 30 shillings to 40 ; the value of the freemen was 3 shillings. The only 
other alterations specified were i rouncy instead of 2, 6 beasts instead of 3, 
and 300 sheep instead of 160. Over the freemen the predecessor of Roger 
Bigot 2 who was the Domesday tenant in chief of this manor had commenda- 
tion in the Confessor's time. All was held by Stannard under Roger 
Bigot. The manor was 12 quarentenes long and 10 broad, and paid nd. 
in a gelt. 3 

The third was a small manor held in Edward the Confessor's day by 
Bos, one of his thanes. It consisted of half a carucate of land and there 
were 3 bordars, 2 serfs, i ploughteam in demesne, half a ploughteam belonging 
to the men, 2 rouncies, 13 hogs, and 85 sheep. And there were 3 freemen 
with 4 acres, and half a ploughteam. Over them the predecessor of William 
de Varennes, who was the Domesday tenant in chief of this manor, had 
commendation. The value by the time of the Survey had slightly increased, 
namely from 16 shillings to 20, though there was really less on the land. 
The half ploughteam of the men was then a team of 2 oxen, the rouncies were 
reduced to i, while the sheep had risen in number from 85 to go. 4 

The Abbot of Bury also held 3 freemen with i carucate of land, 2 
ploughteams, and one mill ; and these men could give or sell their lands, but 
sac, soc and commendation remained in the Abbot's possession. There 
was also half a church with 8 acres of land. The value of the whole was 20 
shillings. Of this land Fulcher held 80 acres and i ploughteam, and it 
was valued at 20 shillings. 5 

The only other holding in Barnham was that of Hugh de Montford 8 in 
demesne, who had 9 freemen with 16 acres, and half a ploughteam. 7 

BARNHAM al. PLEYFORD'S MANOR. 

Barnham Manor, the principal of the three manors, was given by 
Reginald le Brun in the time of Hen. I. to the monks of Thetford, and in 
1195 Simond de Perepunt on behalf of John L'Estrange sued Ralph de 

1 Dom. ii. 299. < Dom. ii. 3986. 

* For account of Bigot see Framlingham 5 Dom. ii. 3666. 

Manor in Loes Hundred. 6 SeeStansteadManorinBaberghHundred. 

3 Dom. ii. 3306. ' Dom. ii. 4056. 



272 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

Plaiz for land at Barnham held by the said Ralph for warranting to the 
monks on the ground that it descended through Reginald le Brun, uncle of 
John the alien father of the said John, and as that which Hugh de Praiz 
gave with Helewise his daughter when she married Ralph son of Herluine, 
and after that Reginald le Brun son of the said Ralph and Helewise gave it 
in the time of Hen. I. to the monks of Thetford. 

Martin, prior of Thetford agreed to renounce his rights in one carucate 
of land in Barnham in favour of John L' Estrange, provided he gave in 
exchange 20$. worth of land in Tothington in Norfolk. 1 

The Prior of St. Sepulchre at Thetford later acquired more land here. 
In 1364 he had licence to receive in mortmain here and in Barningham 3 
messuages, 200 acres of land, and i of meadow from Edmund Goneville 
and others.' In 1392 he again had licence from the Abbot of Bury to 
purchase the tenement called Pleyford's in Barnham, standing near the 
rectory house of St. Martin's parish with the homages, services, rents, and 
fold course for 400 sheep thereto belonging, with 7 score acres of arable 
land worth a halfpenny each acre, all which formerly belonged to Master 
Walter de Elveden, being held of the fee of St. Edmund and were pur- 
chased of the said Walter for the use of the Priory by Peter, rector of 
Fakenham Parva, Adam Foxele, rector of St. Etheldred in Thetford, and 
John Dauntre, rector of Broome, for which licence the Abbot reserved a 
relief of 2s. gd. at the installation of every prior, besides the old services. 
Again in 1400 it was found by a jury on a writ of ad quod Damnum that it 
would be no prejudice to the King if Nicholas Wichingham settled on the 
convent one messuage no acres of land, 2 of meadow, 4 of pasture, a free 
fold course, and two free fisheries in the waters, and fields in Barnham. 3 

Amongst the Harleian Charters in the British Museum is a covenant 
in 1354 concerning the possession of the manor, 4 and a surrender in 1360.' 

At the Dissolution of the Monasteries the manor became vested in the 
Crown, and in 1549 John Perient probably had a grant of it. In 1540 
however we meet with a fine of " Barnham Manor " levied by Sir William 
Drury and others against Frances Shales and others which included the 
advowson. 6 The manor did probably under this fine vest in the Drury 
family, and was sold in 1589 by Robert Drury to Thomas Croftes. 7 It was 
certainly vested in this Thomas Croftes at the time of his decease in 1612 
when it passed to his son and heir Sir John Croftes who died in 1628, when 
it descended to his son and heir Sir Henry Croftes. 8 

Playford Manor in Barnham is included in a fine levied in 1562 by 
Francis Earl of Bedford and others against Sir Nicholas Bacon. 9 

CALTHORP MANOR. 

One of the other manors in Barnham was known as Calthorpes or Calthrop 
Hall and was so named after William Calethorpe, who held it of the Honor 
of Georges in the time of Hen . I II ., and it continued in the same family for many 
generations. William Calethorpe had free warren here in 1271,' and another 
William Calthorp in 1449." Shortly after the manor passed to the Peyton 

1 Abbr. of Pleas, 6 Rich. I. 3. ' Fine, Hil. 31 Eliz. 

I.Q.D.,39Ewd.III.5; O.,39Edw.III.29. 'See Bardwell Manor and West Stow 

1 I.Q.D., 2 Hen. IV. 43. Manor in this Hundred. 

4 Harl. 51 E. 5. Fine, Hil. 4 Eliz. 

Harl. 49 G. 42. Chart. Rolls, 55 Hen. III. 2. 

4 Fine, Mich. 32 Hen. VIII. " Chart. Rolls, 27 Hen. VI. 



BARNHAM. 273 

family,and in thetimeof Hen.VII.themanorthensaidtobeworth6.i3s.4^., 
and the advowson of the church belonging to the manor were settled on 
Thomas Peyton in tail mail. 1 He died ist Aug. 1490, Robert aged 22 his 
brother being his heir. 2 Sir Robert Peyton married Elizabeth dau. of Sir 
Robert Clare of Norfolk knt., and a fine was levied on the manor in 1515, 
no doubt on some settlement between William Waldegrave and others and 
Sir Robert Peyton and Elizabeth his wife. The fine included the advowson of 
St. Martin, Barnham. 3 Sir Robert Peyton died the 27 March (? 18) 1518, and 
the manor passed to his widow Elizabeth as part of her jointure, and at her 
death vested apparently in their second son John Peyton who married 
Dorothy dau. of Sir Robert Tyndall of Hockwould, co. Norf. knt. From that 
marriage descended the Peytons of Knowlton and Dodington, Barts. John 
Peyton in 1548 sold the manor to Sir John Croftes, 4 who died seised of it 
20 Jan. 1557, when it passed to his son and heir Edmund Croftes who died 
the i4th Febry. in the same year. 5 The manor is mentioned in the Inquisi- 
tion p.m. of Edmund Croftes, taken the 4 June 1558 at Stowmarket, and as 
having been devised by his will to his executors for 16 years towards the 
payment of his debts and fulfilling his will. The jurors found that the 
manor with the advowson of St. Andrew in Barnham and liberty of one 
foldage and free fishery were held of the heirs of Peter de Theltham as of 
his Manor of Theltham, but by what services the jurors knew not, and that it 
was worth per annum 10. The manor passed on the death of Edmund 
Croftes to his son and heir Thomas Croftes who died 13 April 1612 when it 
vested in his son and heir Sir John Croftes who died in 1628 ; it then 
devolved on his son and heir Sir Henry Croftes. 6 

BAGGOTTS MANOR. 

The third manor in Barnham was known as Baggott's, and was in the 
time of Hen. III. the inheritance of Simon de Walton, Bishop of Norwich. 
His daughter Agnes married Sir Jas. de Shyrle, and through her the manor 
was carried into the Shirley family where it remained for many generations. 
It does not seem, however, to have actually passed on the marriage, for it con- 
tinued in the Bishop until by grant he vested it in Sir Ralph Shirley, son of his 
daughter Agnes and Sir James de Shyrle. In the Close Rolls for 1277 
we find the enrolment of a grant from Ralph son of James de Shyrleye to 
John de Ubbeston of all his tenement in Barnham, and the advowson of 
St. Gregory of the same place rendering id. yearly for all customs, &c., 
except foreign service pertaining to the lords of the fee. 7 There is also an 
agreement between Ralph described as son of James Shirle, and John de 
Ubbeston, by which Ralph grants that if he does not pay 120 marks lent 
him, John de Ubbeston shall hold the manor with the advowson of the 
Church of St. Gregory in fee. 8 On the same Rolls is the enrolment of a 
deed of the said Ralph de " Shirele " by which he is bound to John de 
Ubbeston in 120 marks for which sum Ralph mortgaged to the said John 
de Ubbeston this manor, and in default of payment of the money Ralph 
binds himself to levy a fine of the manor to John and his heirs for ever 
and in default to pay to the King 40 marks. 9 Sir Ralph died in 1327 and 

1 See Peyton Hall Manor, Boxford, in 6 See Bardwell Manor and West Stow 

Babergh Hundred. Manor in this Hundred. 

' Inqois. 6 Hen. VII. 740. ' Close Rolls, 5 Edw. I. gd. 

* Fine, Easter, 7 Hen. VIII. Ib. 

4 Fine, Hil. 2 Edw. VI. ' Close Rolls, 5 Edw. I. lod. 

* I.P.M., 4 and 5 Ph. and M. 21. 

ji 



274 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

was succeeded by his son and heir Sir Thomas Shirley. In 1342 on the 
Patent Rolls is a licence for alienation in mortmain by John de Shirle and 
William de Hoo to Henry deSirle parson of the Church of St. George Barn- 
ham of i* acres of meadow in Barnham not held in chief for the enlargement 
of the manse of the rectory.' Sir Thomas Shirley the holder of the manor 
died in 1363 and it passed to his son and heir Sir Hugh Shirly ; and he 
died in 1405, when the manor passed to his son and heir Ralph Shirly who 
died in 1443, when it passed to his son and heir Ralph, and on his death in 
1467 it went to John, who died in 1485, when the manor passed to Sir 
Ralph Shirley who died 6 Jan. 1517, when it went to his son and heir 
Francis Shirley,* who sold it to Thomas Croftes. Amongst the Chancery 
Proceedings of /. Elizabeth is the record of an action brought by Thomas Os- 
borne to protect his title to freeholds in Barnham and copyholds in Barnham 
held of Thomas Croftes as of his Manor of Baggotts by Agnes the wife of 
Robert Barry tt al. Burrard, and which plaintiff purchased of devisees of the 
said Agnes. 3 Thomas Croftes died in 1612, and was succeeded by his son 
and heir Sir John who died in 1628, and was succeeded by his son Sir Henry 
Croftes. The next lord met with is Charles 2nd Duke of Graf ton, who 
died in 1757, from whom the manor descended to and is now vested in 
Augustus Charles Lennox Fitz Roy, 7th Duke of Graf ton, K.G. and C.B. 

Amongst the Additional Charters of the British Museum is a precipe 
on a covenant concerning this manor and the advowson of St. Gregory's 
in 1589,* and amongst the Rawlinson MSS. in the Bodleian an account of 
the descent of the lands called " Bagotts " in 1597.' 

All these manors of Barnham now belong to the Duke of Graf ton. 
A " Barnham Manor " is included in a fine levied in 1576 by William Cooke 
and others against W. Andrewes. 6 



1 Pat. Rolls, 16 Edw. III. pt. ii. 3. Origina- Add. Ch. 25417. 

lia, 16 Edw. III. 95. > Rawl. B. 319. 

' I.P.M., 9 Hen. VIII. 29. Fine, Mich. 18 and 19 Eliz. 

' C.P. ii. 289. 




BARNINGHAM. 275 



BARNINGHAM. 

HIS was held in the time of Edward the Confessor by 
Alestan with one carucate of land. There were 5 villeins 
and i serf, i ploughteam in demesne, half a ploughteam 
belonging to the men, 2 acres of meadow, i rouncy, 30 sheep, 
all valued at 20 shillings. 

By the time of the Norman Survey the villeins were 
reduced to 2, and the half ploughteam of the men had come 
down to a team of 2 oxen. The manor was then held by Peter de Valoines r 
as tenant in chief. 2 The Abbot of St. Edmund had here a much larger 
holding. He had 19 freemen holding 2 carucates, 2 villeins, 2 bordars, 9 
ploughteams in Saxon times and in Norman 6, 4 acres of meadow, and a 
church with 15 acres of free land in frankalmoin. These freemen could 
give or sell their lands, but sac, soc and commendation remained in the 
Abbot's possession and service at Coney Weston. In the time of the 
Confessor the value was fixed at 20 shillings, but by the time of the Great 
Survey the value had doubled. Of the freemen, Bucard held under him 
3 with i carucate of land and 2 ploughteams valued at 15 shillings not 
included in the above valuation. And Peter de Valoines held 6 with 3 
carucates valued at 20 shillings, also not included in the above valuation. 
The extent of this large holding was i league long and 6 quarentenes broad, 
and it paid in a gelt i7^. 3 

The main lordship seems to have had appertaining to it the smallest 
amount of land. In the Confessor's time Osmund a freeman, over whom the 
Abbot had commendation, soc, and sac, held Barningham. The extent of 
the land was half a carucate, and on it one villein, 2 bordars, i ploughteam 
in demesne, and half a ploughteam belonging to the men, and 2 acres of 
meadow. The value of this holding, of which Hemer de Ferrieres was the 
Domesday tenant, appeared at 2 shillings and the Abbot had the soc. 4 No 
doubt a great portion of this land went to make up the two manors into 
which the land here was subsequently divided. 

BARNINGHAM OR BARNINGHAM HALL al. SENCLERS MANOR. 

This the main manor was at the time of the Survey held by Hermer de 
Ferrieres. In an action brought in the time of Edw. I.John deAnyens acknow- 
ledged that Barningham Manor (Senders) belonged to John de St. Claire, and 
released the same to him and his heirs. 5 In 1303, 1318, and 1329 respectively 
this manor was the subject of fines levied, the first fine under the title of 
" Bernyngham Manor." This was levied by John de Sancto Clare and 
Joan his wife against Peter de Redlysworth. 6 The second fine was levied 
by Peter de Redesworth against John son of John de St. Clare. 7 The 3rd 
fine was levied by Thomas son of Katherine de Stanton against Peter de 
Redlisworth of this manor and the Manor of Netherehall. 8 In the 
fourteenth century there were three lords only, John de Montfort, Eustace 
de Barningham, and Geoffrey de Barningham who died in 1411,' when the 
manor passed to the latter's daughters and coheirs, Margaret, wife of Thomas 

1 See Great Fakenham Manor in this s Abbr. of Pleas, 24 and 25 Edw. I. 42. 

Hundred. 6 Feet of Fines, 31 Edw. I. 25. 

' Dom. ii. 421. * Feet of Fines, 12 Edw. II. 37. 

3 Dom. ii. 3656. * Feet of Fines, 3 Edw. III. 13. 

Dom. ii. 354. I.P.M., 12 Hen. IV. 27. 



276 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

de I kesworth, Elizabeth wife of William Attegate, and Agnes wife of John 
Pyke. 

In 1428 Thomas de Ridlesworth held, and later Henry Eden of Bury 
who married Anne dau. of John Fitz Ralph and died in 1545 leaving two daus. 
and coheirs Anne married to John Bucknam or Bettenham, and Elizabeth 
married to William Bradbury, to whom the manor descended in moieties. 
This is in accordance with one pedigree in the writer's possession which 
belonged to the late Dr. Howard ; but another pedigree makes a Richard of 
Bury St. Edmunds son of Richard 2nd son of Thomas Eden of the North, 
leave three daughters, one married to Lucas of Suffolk, Ann married to 
William Bradbury of Wickham, Essex, and a third married to Beckenham of 
Pluckley in Kent. As in this pedigree it is stated that Richard Eden father 
of the three daughters married Elizabeth dau. of Sir Clement Heigham who 
afterwards became the wife of Robert Kempe of Finchingfield in Essex, 
one is rather led to the conclusion that the pedigree has put " Richard " 
for " Henry," and that the father of the three daughters was " Henry " 
or as he calls himself in his will dated the 23 Dec. 1545 " Harry " Eden, 
for in this will he refers to his daur. Anne and his daur. Joan, evidently 
then having no son. He also refers to his " brother John Heigham " and 
his "brother Thomas Heigham," and his " father in law Clement Heigham, ' 
who with his (testator's) wife Elizabeth he appoints executors. 

The following fines were levied of the manor during the reign of Q. 
Elizabeth : 1565, Daniel Brettenham and Elizabeth his wife v. Ann Eden 
late of Henry Eden' ; 1567, Jeremiah Bettenham and others v. Daniel Bet- 
tenham and others of a moiety 2 ; 1568, Henry Bradbury and other v. William 
Bradbury of a moiety 3 ; 1568, Jeremiah Bettenham and others v. Daniell 
Bettenham and others of a moiety 4 ; 1571, Michael Moseley and others v. 
Robert Kempe and others' ; 1597, W. Moseley and others v. W. Bradley 
and others. 6 

In 1628 Anne Mason, William Mason and Grace Mason sold to 
Maurice Barrow 7 only surviving son of William, son and heir of Thomas 
Barrow, whose daughter Anne was the 2nd wife of Sir Ralph Shelton of 
Shelton in Norfolk knt. High Sheriff of that county in 1570. Maurice 
Barrow married Mary dau. of Sir Richard Smith of Leeds Castle co. Kent, 
knt., and widow of Sir James Poyntz of North Okenden in Essex knt. 
She died 19 Nov. 1666, and was buried in Barningham Church where on 
a flat stone in the chancel is the following inscription : 

Here lyeth buried ye Body of Dame Marye Poyntz, Daughter 

unto Sr Richard Smith of Leeds Castle in the Countie of Kent Kt. 

who was first married to Sr James Poyntz of North Okenden in 

the Countie of Essex Knt. by whom she had a son Richard 

Poyntz Esqre. of transcendent Parts for his yeares who deceased in 

France anno aetatis vicesimo. She was afterwards married to 

Maurice Barrowe of Barningham in the Countie of Suffolk 

Esqre. with whom she lived neere forty yeares. She departed 

from this Vally of Teares to the Fruition of eternal Joy, Nov 

ember 19, 1666 anno aetatis suae 65. 

Beneath the inscription on a lozenge : A chevron engrailed between three 
lions passant guardant. Smith of Leeds Castle impaling on the dexter 

1 Fine, 7 Eliz. 47. 5 Fine, Trin. 13 Eliz. 

Fine, Easter, 9 Eliz. ' Fine, Mich. 39 and 40 Eliz. vol. ii. 

1 Fine, Easter, 10 Eliz. ' See Newton Manor in Babergh Hundred. 

4 Fine, Easter, 10 Elk. 



BARNINGHAM. 277 

side Barry of Eight. Poyntz, and impaling two swords a saltire, points 
upwards between four fleurs-de-lis Barrow. 

Maurice Barrow died the same year as his wife, and by will dated the 
i6th Nov. 1665 devised this manor and also those of Roydon Hall, Newton, 
Westhorpe, and Newton in tail to his cousin Maurice Shelton only son 
of Henry, only surviving son of the above-mentioned Sir Ralph Shelton. 1 
Blomefield mentions that in Shelton Church, Norfolk, the windows are 
often painted with the device of Sir Ralph Shelton who built the fabric : 
viz. Raf . with an escallop shel and a tun which cannot fail of making Sheltun. 2 
On Maurice Shelton's 3 death the manor devolved on his son Maurice Shelton 
who died without male issue (having had a son John who died young), 
when the manor passed to his next brother Henry Shelton. Henry 
Shelton had two sons Maurice and Henry, and died the 24 May 1690 in his 
36th year, and was buried at Shelton. Maurice Shelton his eldest son suc- 
ceeded. This Maurice Shelton published anonymously in 1718 in one volume 
and again in 1720 in two volumes an Essay on Nobility. To the last 
edition however his portrait and coat of arms were prefixed : " The true 
effigies of the Author taken from an original painting of Mr. Joseph Brook 
of St. Edmunds Bury in the County of Suffolk, painter, with his single 
Coat of Arms, truly emblazen'd." 4 Maurice Shelton's address to the Grand 
Jury at the Quarter Sessions Bury n Oct. 1725 was published in 1726 4to 
pp. 35. He married Margaret dau. of the Rev. John Randall of Bury St. 
Edmunds who died Oct. 23, 1727, and is buried in Barningham Church 
with the following inscription : 

Here lieth the Body of Mrs. Margaret Shelton Daughter of 

the Revd. Mr. John Randall of St. Edmunds Bury in Suffolk. She 

was married to Maurice Shelton Esqr. of Barningham July 15 

1714 and died Oct. 23, 1727, seta, suae 31. 

Here lieth the Casket, but the Jewel's gone 
Guarded by Angels to ye Immortal's Throne 
To live for ever with the Three in One. 

Maurice Shelton died on the 31 May 1749 aged 65, but he had during 
his lifetime sold the estate called Barningham Park to the Duke of Grafton. 
The particulars of property sold taken from a lease leading to a fine dated 
the 13 July 1714 made between the said Maurice Shelton of the one part 
and John Randall of St. Edmunds Bury gent, and James Harvey of Cock- 
field Esquire of the other part were : " All that the capital Messuage or 
Manor house known by the name of Barningham Hall or otherwise situate 
and being in Barningham wherein he the said Maurice Shelton doth now 
dwell, together with the houses and outhouses, barns, stables, yards, 
gardens, orchards, and every other the appurtenances whatsoever to the 
said capital messuage belonging or reputed to belong to the same or there- 
with at any time used or enjoyed, together with about 30 acres of land, 
meadow and pasture to the same messuage also belonging and adjoining or 
otherwise near unto the same and consisting of four several enclosures 
known by the name of The Twenty-acre close, containing by estimation 16 
acres more or less ; Dogs close, containing by estimation four acres 

' See Brent Eleigh Manor in Babergh 3 A copy of his will dated 3rd Oct. 1680 is 
Hundred. given in Muskett's " Manorial 

Norf. v., p. 270. See an account of Families," vol. ii. 231. 

the Shelton family in Gent. Mag. 4 Noble's continuation of Granger, vol. 
July, 1826, p. 32. iii, p. 364. Anecdotes of Bowyer, 

vol. ii. (1812), p. 114. 



278 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

more or less ; Aqua Vitae close, containing by estimation five acres more 
or less ; and Costrops meadow, containing also five acres by estimation more 
or less as the same premises are situate lying and being in Barningham 
aforesaid and all in the possession or occupation of the said Maurice Shelton 
or his assigns ; and also all that Wood or wood ground called or known by 
the name of Fakenham Wood and the ground and soyle thereof, lying and 
being in Fakenham in the said county of Suffolk, or in some other town or 
towns there next or near adjoining, with their and every of their rights, 
members and appurtenances containing by estimation 360 acres more or 
less. And also all those quit rents or lords rents of and belonging to the 
respective manors of Netherhall als. Nether Hall and St. Cleer's in Barning- 
ham aforesaid and also all that the perpetual advowson and right of 
Patronage of and to the Parish Church of Cony Weston in the said County 
of Suffolk with every their appurtenances." It is clear however that the 
manor did not pass to the Duke. This in 1811 was vested in John 
Thurton and was sold by his executors, and in 1885 was vested in Cornell 
Henry Fison of Lord Place, Thetford, who married Eliza 3rd dau. of Frederick 
Edwards of Barnham and dying in 1895 left with other issue a son the 
Rev. Charles Frederick Fison, vicar of St. Nutfield, Surrey. The manor 
seems still to be vested in the trustees of the will of the said Cornell Henry 
Fison. 

Amongst the Additional Charters in the British Museum is a precipe 
on a covenant concerning the manors of Sinclers and Netherhall in 1578.' 

Arms of Shelton : Azure, a plain cross or. The old coat was : sa. ; 
3 escallops ar. Sir Ralph Shelton who married Dorothy dau. of Sir Robt. 
Jermyn of Rushbrook and was killed at the Isle of Rhe in France sealed in 
1602 with az. on a chief indented or. 2 mullets of the field ; and P. L' Neves 
observes that they are said to have been the ancient arms of Shelton 
re-assumed by Sir Ralph. 2 

NETHERHALL MANOR. 

In the Davy MSS. this is made the same manor as Barningham Hall, 
which is called otherwise Sender, but they are apparently two different 
manors, and in early documents are mentioned together as two distinct 
manors. This is the manor probably included in the Inquisition p.m. 
of Sir Thomas de Hemegrave in 1 264.3 Roger de Risby granted to this 
Hemegrave and Katherine his wife an acre of land in this place in the time 
of Hen. III. and of course it is possible that land in the manor only is 
meant, but this seems hardly likely as the manor itself is mentioned as 
" Barningham Manor." Sir Eustace de Berningham knt. confirmed to 
Thomas, son of William, son of Thomas de Hemegrave and to Beatrice his 
wife 4 acres in Barningham, and Petronilia de Carleton released to Thomas 
son of William de Hemegrave 2 shillings in this place. This Thomas de 
Hemegrave was dead in 1264, when it was found by an inquisition taken 
at Barningham that he died seised of manors or lands in that parish, Westley 
and Tudenham, with the advowsons of Tudenham and Gislelam. He was 
succeeded by his son Sir Edmund de Hemegrave who died 1334, and was 
succeeded by his son Sir Thomas de Hemegrave who died in 1349, and was 
succeeded by his son Sir Edmund de Hemegrave who died in 1379. By 
deed in 1352 this Sir Edmund de Hemegrave conveyed the reversion of 

Add. Ch. 25341. ' I. P.M. 48 Hen. III. 21. 

' Blomefield Norf. v., 269 note. 



BARNINGHAM. 279 

the manor, expectant on the decease of Thomas de Riddlesworth, to 
Richard de Brews and others as trustees by way of settlement. 

The manor is mentioned in the Inquis. p.m. of Hugh Stafford in 1423,' 
and later vested in Henry Eden, and devolved in like manner with the main 
Manor of Barningham. 

HOLDENS al. HALDENS MANOR. 

This manor in the time of Hen. VIII. was held of the King and licence 
was given to grant the same to John Tront. After him we meet with Thomas 
Goldinge as lord, who in 1598 sold the manor to Laurence Fuller and Thomas 
Fuller, and in 1609 Thomas Fuller was lord. In the time of King Charles I. 
it was held by Wm. Reve, son of Robert in right of his mother Susan. 2 



I.P.M., i Hen. VI. 33. * 1631, Chancery D.K.R. 43. App. i. p, 177. 




280 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



CONEY WESTON. 

HE manor was held in Edward the Confessor's reign by the 
Abbot of St. Edmund with 2 carucates of land. There were 
belonging to this manor 2 villeins, 3 bordars, 2 ploughteams 
in demesne and half a team of the men's, I serf, 2 acres of 
meadow, wood for 4 hogs, I rouncy (but added after the 
conquest), 10 beasts, 12 hogs, 80 sheep, and 24 goats. Besides 
to the manor apper tained 12 socmen with half a carucate and 
30 acres of land. The 12 socmen had formerly 6 ploughteams, but these in 
Norman days were reduced to 4, and 2 acres of meadow. There was also 
a church with 8 acres of free land held in alms. The manor was in the 
Confessor's day valued at 5 pounds, but by the time of the Great Survey at 
6. The length was a league, and the breadth 6 quarentenes, and it paid in 
a gelt 17^.' The manor continued with the Monastery of Bury St. Edmunds 
until the Dissolution. A rental of the possessions of the Abbey here made 
in 1434-5 will be found amongst the Gough MSS. in the Bodleian, 2 and a 
copy amongst the Additional MSS. in the Brit. Mus. 3 At the Dissolution 
the manor vested in the Crown, and was granted by Hen. VIII. in 1545 
to Francis Lovell and Elizabeth his wife. He died in 1550 and the manor 
passed to his son and heir Sir Thomas Lovell, who died in 1567, when 
it passed to his son and heir Sir Thomas Lovell. Amongst the Chancery 
Proceedings of the time of Queen Elizabeth will be found a suit by Elizabeth 
Hoo widow against Sir Thomas Lovell, touching some copyholds of the 
manor. 4 Sir Thomas had with his son Francis Lovell licence to alienate the 
manor in 1598 to Sir Edmund Huddleston and Robt. Garthe, no doubt by 
way of settlement, for on Sir Thomas's death in 1604 the next lord was 
Sir Francis Lovell his son and heir. He sold to George Cooke, alderman of 
Norwich, and others who held in 1614. 

In 1633 John Webbe of Beccles and Mary his wife conveyed the manor 
to Wm. Johnson of Eastham, William Gilbert of Bury, and Thomas Gaudy 
of London as trustees for Samuel Colman of Brent Eleigh. 

Samuel Colman, Wm. Johnson, and Thomas Gaudy sold and conveyed 
to Maurice Barrow in 1641. Maurice Barrow died in 1666 having by his 
will dated 1665 devised the manor to his trustees for 20 years, and subject to 
the term devised the same to his cousin Maurice Shelton in fee. At the 
death of the last-named Maurice Shelton he was succeeded by his son 
Maurice, and he by his son Maurice, and he by his brother Henry. Henry 
Shelton was succeeded by his son and heir Maurice Shelton who died in 
1749.' The last Maurice Shelton settled the manor on his 3rd wife Bridget, 
widow of William Hall, and she devised the same to her granddaughter 
Harriet Hall, who married Maurice Dryer. In 1764 the lordship belonged 
to John Reilly in rig^ht of his wife Maria Rebecca granddaughter of Maurice 
Shelton. She died in 1810, and the manor was sold to one Bridgman, who 
in 1837 was succeeded by his son and heir Edward Bridgman, who served 
the office of High Sheriff for the County in 1842. Edward Bridgman seems 
to have left two daughters Elizabeth Mary Bridgman and Fanny Isabella 
who married the Rev. Edward Henry Sawbridge of East Haddon co. 

' Dom. ii. 365, 3656, 366. * As to the Sheltons, see Brent Eleigh 

' Bodleian, 18232. in Babergh Hundred and Barning- 

5 Add. 34712. ham Manor in this Hundred. 
' C.P. ser. ii. B. Ixxxi. i. 



CONEY WESTON. 281 

Northampton. The manor on Edward Bridgman's death passed to his 
widow for life and on her death to the daur. Elizabeth Mary Bridgman 
who resided at the Hall, and on her death in 1889 the manor passed to her 
nephew the Rev. John Sikes Sawbridge rector of Thelnetham, 2nd son of 
the above-named Edward Henry Sawbridge, and he is now lord of this 
manor. He married Elizabeth Tudor daur. of George Edward Frere of 
Roydon Hall, Diss, co. Norfolk, and has with other issue John Edward 
Bridgman. 



K 1 




282 THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 



CULFORD. 

HE manor in the Confessor's time was held by the Abbot 
of St. Edmund with i carucate of land. To this manor 
there belonged 2 villeins, 2 bordars, I ploughteam in 
demesne, and in Saxon times i belonging to the men, but in 
Norman times this had come down to half a ploughteam. 
There were also 8 acres of meadow, i beast, 2 hogs, and 85 
sheep. To this manor also there appertained 18 socmen 
with half a carucate of land and 2 ploughteams. These also belonged to 
the Abbot by soc and sac and all custom and they could not part with their 
land without his consent. The value in King Edward's time was 4 pounds, 
reduced to 3 in King William's. Peter also held of the Abbot a freeman 
with i carucate of land, 7 bordars, 2 serfs, 2 ploughteams, and a team of 2 
oxen belonging to the men. There were also in this holding 6 acres of 
meadow. Peter's holding was formerly valued at 10 shillings, but at the 
time of the Domesday Survey at 30. It was a league long and 5 quarentenes 
broad, and paid in a gelt 7^.' 

CULFORD MANOR. 

There is a grant to the Abbey in the nth century of land in Culford 
amongst the Cotton MSS. in the Brit. Mus., 1 and a confirmation of the 
manor to the Abbey in 1162-1174, or rather a transcript of this confirmation 
made in the 15th century, will be found amongst the Additional MSS. in the 
Brit. Mus. 3 On the Patent Rolls we find a commission issued in 1274 to 
try a case in which John de Salisbery clerk complained that Richard 
Abbot of St. Edmund and others had assaulted him here and broken his 
thighs and arms. 4 

The extent and customary of the lands of the Abbey here in 1357 w ^ 
be found amongst the Additional MSS. in the Brit. Mus. 5 We find the 
advowson of the parish church also very early appropriated to St. Edmunds. 
Anselm who governed the monastery from 1119 to 1148 granted to William, 
son of Albold and Robert his son and heir in fee farm as a compensation 
for some claim, and by way of exchange for the churches of Culford and 
Barton, the lands in Haustedof Geoffrey Sacrist of that house which had 
belonged to Leveva late wife of Odo the goldsmith, reserving a rent of 
405. to the altar of St. Edmunds. 

In 1368 Sir Nicholas de Tamworth was lord of the parish and patron of 
the church, and William de Lo veto ft was rector by his presentation. 
Sir Nicholas held the same in fee of the Abbot who actually held 
the chief lordship of the place until the suppression of the monastery 
when the Crown granted the manor to Christopher Coote and 
Elizabeth his wife in 1541. Particulars of this grant will be found 
amongst the State Papers for 1541. It is of the manor and church 
stated to have late belonged to Bury Abbey, and also of a portion of 
tithes in Culford, and a yearly pension of 8s. from the rectory in as full a 
manner as John Melfordo/. Reve late Abbot held the same. 6 Christopher 



1 Dora. ii. 364, 3666. Pat. Rolls, 2 Edw. III. pt. ii. 

Cott. Aug. ii. 8f s Add. 14849. 

> Add. 34689. State Papers, 32 Hen. VIII. 580 (62). 



CULFORD. 283 

Coote died the 17 Sept. 1563' and the manor passed to his'son and heir 
Richard Coote, who died in 1580, and was succeeded by his son and heir 
Nicholas Coote who sold in 1586 to Sir Nicholas Bacon premier Baronet, 
eldest son of the Lord Keeper." He erected in 1591 a mansion on the 
estate where he occasionally resided. Sir Nicholas Bacon was much blessed 
with this world's goods and had no lack of lands. He held the Hundred of 
Blackbourn with the rent of 57 quarters of oats, and annual suit and service 
of the inhabitants within the parishes of Stowlangtoft, Hunston, Langham, 
Walsham, Ashfield, Barnham Parva, Livermere, Culford, Thorpe, Faken- 
ham, Ixworth, Westowe, Wordwell, Ryseworth, Wattisfield, Rykenhall, 
Hinderclay, Weston, Bardwell, and Staunton, likewise the Manor of Ashfield 
Magna, and 40 messuages there, and in Little Ashfield and Ixworth ; also 
the Manors of Mettingham, Ilketshall, and Shipmeadow with 60 messuages, 
60 tofts in Mettingham, Bungay, and the Rectory of Mettingham, the 
Manor of Bromfield and 70 messuages in Bromfield, Wenhaston al. Waynston, 
the Manors of Inham al. Ingham Hall, Tymworth, Barnham near Thetford 
and Pleyford in Barnham, and 30 messuages, &c., in Ingham with the 
advowsons of Ingham and Tymworth, the rectory and manor of Walsham ; 
the liberties and franchises of St. Edmunds Bury, the manor and rectory 
of Tymworth held of the Manor of Ingham ; also the manor and advowson 
of Burgate. He married Anne only daughter and heir of Edmund Butts of 
Thornage co. Norfolk, brother to Sir William Butts, knt., by Anne his wife, 
daughter and coheir of Henry Buers of Barrow, and dying in 1624 devised 
the Manor of Culford to his seventh son Nathaniel Bacon with an estate 
worth 1,000 a year. Sir Nicholas and his lady lived 52 years together in 
wedlock, and they are both buried together in Redgrave Church under a most 
magnificent altar tomb with both their effigies curiously carved in full 
proportion out of the finest white marble. Mr. Walpole has given this 
memorandum relative to this monument by Nicholas Stone : " and in this 
same place (i.e. Redgrave Church), I .made two Pictors of white marbell 
of Sir N. Bacon and his lady, and they were layed upon the tomb that 
Bernard lanson had made there : for the which two Pictors I was payed 
by Sr. Edmund Bacon 2oo." 3 

Sir Nathaniel Bacon was a Knight of the Bath, and married Jane 
daughter of Hercules Meautys, and relict of Sir William Cornwallis of 
Brome, knt. By him she had one son Nicholas and two daughters : Anne 
married ist her cousin german Sir Thomas Meautys knt. clerk of the Privy 
Council, and 2nd Sir Harbottle Grimstone of Bradfield in Essex. By each 
marriage she had an only daughter, both of whom died in childhood, as 
did Sir Nathaniel's other daughter Jane Bacon. A writer in the " Gen- 
tleman's Magazine " for 1826 points out how Sir Nathaniel Bacon has been 
confounded with his uncle and namesake Sir Nathaniel Bacon of Stiffkey 
in Norfolk, knt., for he has been made to take his uncle's place of relation- 
ship towards the Lord Keeper his grandfather, and the Lord Chancellor 
the Viscount of St. Albans. He has also had given to him the two wives 
and his uncle's monument as well. Sir William Betham in his Baronetage 
falls into this very error. He says of Sir Nathaniel Bacon of Stiffkey, " He 
attained the perfection of a master in painting. He travelled into Italy, 
and studied in that country ; but his manner and colouring approach nearer 
to the style of the Flemish school. Some of his works are preserved at 
Culford, where he lived ; and at Gorhamburg, which was the seat of his 

1 I.P.M., 6 Eliz. 171. ' MS. note by Sir John Cullum. 

* Fine, Easter, 28 Eliz. 



THE MANORS OF SUFFOLK. 

father, is a large picture in oil done by him which is admirably painted." 
This all applies to Sir Nathaniel Bacon the lord of the Manor of Culford. He 
died in 1627, and was buried in the church at Culford, with a monument 
having a good marble bust and an epitaph which informs us that he was 
well skilled in the history of plants and the art of delineating them with 
his pencil. His lady is also interred here with an inscription giving her a high 
character as having supported and saved from ruin two ancient families 
into which she had been married. He devised the Culford property and 
manor to Lady Jane his widow, who survived until the 8th May 1659. She 
was 78 years of age. 

The monument above referred to is on the north side of the 
chancel of Culford Church. A lady sits in a chair with a child 
in her lap, with children standing on each side of her, partly within a 
semi-circular recess. Lower down lies a man full length with his head 
resting on his right hand, and a book in his left. They are all large as life, 
of statuary marble and prettily executed. Who they are we learn from this 
inscription overhead : 

ad dextram : ad sinistram : 

Jane Bacon Anna ~\ 

Jane Meautis Frederick V Cornwallis 

Nathaniel j 
In sinu sedet 
Hannah Grimston 

Infra jacet 
Nicolaus Bacon Armiger 

On the base of the monument is the following high character of the 

lady : 

M. S. 

Sub hoc raarmore vocem tubae praestolantur exuviae Filiarum uxorum, 
Matrum, Feminarum optima;, Doe Janae Bacon de Culford, in Comitatu 
Suffolciae, Filiae Herculis Meautys Armigeri, e nobilioribus Elizabethae 
Reginae Satellitibus, Filii Petri Meautys de Ham in Comitatu Essexiae 
Equtis aurati et Philippiae Coke de Giddy Hall in Comitatu Essexiae 
armigeri, quae talibus et orta et digna Parentibus, Gulielmo Cornwallis 
de Broome Militi Balnei nuptum data est ; cui unicum Filium peperit 
Fredericum Cornwallis de Broome Militem et Baronettum. Postea 
Nathanieli Bacon de Culford Militi matrimonio juncta Filium unum 
peperit Nicolaum Bacon de Culford Armigerum : Filias autem duas 
Annum Janamque ; quarum natu major primo Thomae Meautys 
Militi, dein Harbotelbo Grimston Baronetto juncta connubio est 
altera junior in Christo obdormivit. 

Erat autem Ipsa dum viverat cum omnibus virtutibus exculta, 
turn praecipue pietate insigni charitate singulari, prudentia, ultra 
sexum plane admiranda : quia temporibus difficillimis, duas Familias 
antiquitate nobiles, quibus certissimo divinse Providentiae natu 
conjuncta fuerat, sola sustinet, ab intentu vindicavit, et perpetuitatis 
spei restituit, ingenti exemplo, quale nee hactenus cognitum, nee 
fortasse posthac sperandum adeo legit hie tumulus illud quicquid 
mortale est ejus Feminae, quae fecit quicquid mortalitas potest. 

Nicholas, her son by Sir Nathaniel, died the 9 January following year 
without issue, and did not therefore enjoy much of his father's riches. 
He is described on his monument in Culford Church to have been "a man of 
great modesty, of a most playne and single heart, of an antient freedom 
and integrity of mynde, loyall to his Prince, a lover of his country, and a 
greate sufferer for both." 

In 1645 it apppears from the Calendar of Compounders that his whole 
estate was not worth more than 350 a year, and this had been long 



CULFORD. 285 

previously absorbed by his creditors. He presents to the committee at this 
time that three years previously he had gone into King's quarters to secure 
himself from arrest, and for six months was a captain of dragoons. After 
having laid down his commission for 2 years he appeared before the com- 
mittee begging to be allowed to compound, and on his return was seised 
for a debt of 600 and committed to prison. 1 The following year Dame 
Jane Bacon presented a petition to the committee to compound for mort- 
gage to her by Sir Frederick Cornwallis of lands in Suffolk for 6,000 ." This 
Sir Frederick was the son and heir of Sir William Cornwallis, the first husband 
of Lady Jane Bacon, and on her death and that of Sir Nathaniel Bacon's 
only son Nicholas succeeded to the manor. Sir Frederick was created Baron 
Cornwallis of Eye, 20 April i66i, 3 and died the 6th January the same year, 
when the manor devolved in the same course as the Manor of Ingham in 
this Hundred until the time of the last Marquis Cornwallis. 

The manor and other estates of the last Marquis Cornwallis were sold 
in 1824, and this manor was purchased by Richard Benyon de Beauvoir of 
Englefield House in Berkshire and High Sheriff for that county in 1816. 
The purchase included the lordship, advowsons, and entire parishes of 
Culford, Ingham, Timworth, West Stow, and Wordwell comprising 11,000 
acres, and the purchase money was 230,000 exclusive of the value of the 
timber. This Richard Benyon de Beauvoir whose original name was Richard 
Benyon, married Elizabeth only daughter of Francis Sykes of Basildon Park 
co. Berks, but had no issue. He left in real and personal property seven 
millions and a half. He represented Berkshire in Parliament. Most 
unexpectedly in the year 1814 he was left over a million by the Rev. Peter de 
Beauvoir, no relative, and he thereupon assumed the patronymic of de 
Beauvoir in addition to his own. It is said that his mode of living was 
extremely simple, and entirely devoid of any ostentation or extravagance. 

The manor of Culford and the estate were presented by the owner prior 
to 1847 to his nephew the Rev. Edward Richard Benyon, and on his 
death without issue in 1883 the estate passed to his relative Richard Benyon 
Berens eldest son of Richard Beauvoir Berens by Catherine dau. of John 
Edward Dowdeswell M.P